Nights at Melinda Heights

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Exposures: SII 17×1200, Ha 24×1200, OIII 18×1200

Telescope: Televue NP101 + .8 Reducer

Camera: QSI 683

Mount: AP900

Distance: 1,500 Light Years                            

Magnitude: 9                                                       

Size:  30×20 Arc-minutes                                

Age: Not Known                                                

IC 405, also known as the Flaming Star Nebula, is a combination of emission and reflection nebula in the constellation of Auriga. The star AE Aurigae is surrounded by gas and appears to be on fire hence the nickname. AE Aurigae is the source illumination star that is ionizing the surrounding gas creating the emission part of the nebula. The light from this same star also reflects off the surrounding dust creating the reflection part of the nebula. It is thought that this star was originally part of the Trapezium cluster inside of the Orion Nebula and it is moving away at 62 miles per second.

HSS Version: Ha 24×1200 + SII 17×1200:

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Ha Version: Ha 24×1200

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