221129 - Sh2-229 "Flaming Star" nebula
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click image to enlarge
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ASTRO:
type=Emission Nebula (HII Region) mag=6.0 const=Auriga dist=1500 ly size=5 ly across; 16 ly long IMAGE: location=EB Driveway BrtlCls=4 moon=21%, WnCr exposure=DSLR OSC; 54x300s (4.5h), ISO3200 EQUIPMENT: camera=Nikon D90 (mod) optics=ES102 w1.0x fltnr, F=714mm, f/7.0 filter=Radian Triad Ultra Quad NB mount=Celestron AVX guiding=Orion 60x240mm, ZWO ASi224MC SOFTWARE: acquisition=Stellarium, APT, PHD2 processing=DSS, PhotoshopCC, RCAstro, Lumenzia, Web Sharp Pro, LrC |
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Is star AE Aurigae on fire? No. Even though AE Aurigae is named the flaming star, the surrounding nebula Sh2-229 (also catalogued as IC 405, and Caldwell 31, or C31) is named the Flaming Star Nebula, and although the region shape gives the appearance of fire, there is no fire. Rippling dust and gas lanes give the Flaming Star Nebula its name.
Fire, typically defined as the rapid molecular acquisition of, and combination with oxygen, happens only when sufficient oxygen is present. Oxygen is generally not present in such high-energy environments like that of stars. The material in this image that appears as smoke is mostly elemental interstellar hydrogen, and contains smoke-like dark filaments of carbon-rich dust grains.
The red and blue colors of the nebula are present in different regions and are created by different processes. The bright star AE Aurigae, visible here with an artificially added starburst, is so hot it is blue. It shines at magnitude 6.0, and is emitting light so energetic it knocks electrons away from the atoms of surrounding hydrogen gas. When a hydrogen atom recaptures an electron (returning the atom to its more natural state of equilibrium), a photon of light is emitted having the wavelength of red light.
The blue regions' color is a reflection of the blue light emitted by AE Aurigae and reflected back to us off the surfaces of surrounding gas and dust clouds. The two regions are referred to as emission nebula (red) and reflection nebula (blue), respectively.
The Flaming Star nebula lies about 1,500 light years distant, spans about 5 light years across, and measures appx 16 ly long. It is visible with a small telescope toward the constellation of the Charioteer (Auriga) north of the celestial equator. It is believed that the proper motion of the central star can be traced back to the area of Orion's Belt.
Fire, typically defined as the rapid molecular acquisition of, and combination with oxygen, happens only when sufficient oxygen is present. Oxygen is generally not present in such high-energy environments like that of stars. The material in this image that appears as smoke is mostly elemental interstellar hydrogen, and contains smoke-like dark filaments of carbon-rich dust grains.
The red and blue colors of the nebula are present in different regions and are created by different processes. The bright star AE Aurigae, visible here with an artificially added starburst, is so hot it is blue. It shines at magnitude 6.0, and is emitting light so energetic it knocks electrons away from the atoms of surrounding hydrogen gas. When a hydrogen atom recaptures an electron (returning the atom to its more natural state of equilibrium), a photon of light is emitted having the wavelength of red light.
The blue regions' color is a reflection of the blue light emitted by AE Aurigae and reflected back to us off the surfaces of surrounding gas and dust clouds. The two regions are referred to as emission nebula (red) and reflection nebula (blue), respectively.
The Flaming Star nebula lies about 1,500 light years distant, spans about 5 light years across, and measures appx 16 ly long. It is visible with a small telescope toward the constellation of the Charioteer (Auriga) north of the celestial equator. It is believed that the proper motion of the central star can be traced back to the area of Orion's Belt.