IC-405, The Flaming Star Nebula

IC 405 (better known as the Flaming Star Nebula) is a spectacular example of a combined emission and reflection nebula. The region is famously dominated by the bright, blue-white star AE Aurigae, a massive O-type "runaway star" believed to have been ejected from the Orion Nebula millions of years ago. Unlike most nebulae where stars are born from the surrounding gas, AE Aurigae is simply passing through a pre-existing cloud of hydrogen and carbon-rich dust. Its intense ultraviolet radiation ionizes the hydrogen gas to create the "flames" of the red emission nebula, while its starlight scatters off cosmic dust to produce the distinctive blue "smoke" of the reflection nebula. This cosmic interaction creates a dynamic, multi-colored target that is a favorite for wide-field astrophotography.