“A star on the run leaves a trail of fire—
IC 405, the Flaming Star Nebula.”
“A star on the run leaves a trail of fire—
IC 405, the Flaming Star Nebula.”
Embedded Files
IC 405, the Flaming Star Nebula.”
Messier 42
the Great Orion Nebula
the Great Orion Nebula
🔥 IC 405: The Flaming Star Nebula
– A Trail of Fire in Auriga
🔥 IC 405: The Flaming Star Nebula
– A Trail of Fire in Auriga
🌟 What Makes It Glow?
🌟 What Makes It Glow?
AE Aurigae, the bright star embedded in IC 405, isn’t from around here—it’s a runaway star, flung from the Orion region by a gravitational scuffle millions of years ago.
As it speeds through space, it energizes the surrounding hydrogen gas, causing it to emit a fiery red glow (H-alpha). Meanwhile, dust reflects its blue light, creating a smoky contrast.
🧪 Dual Personality
🧪 Dual Personality
IC 405 is both an emission and reflection nebula—think of it as cosmic fire and fog in one frame.
The red emission comes from ionized hydrogen, while the blue haze is starlight bouncing off interstellar dust.
Annotated
The Tadpoles
Photo Capture Info:
Photo Capture Info:
(37) 3 minute exposures for just ~1.65 hours
Optical Equipment Used:
Optical Equipment Used:
SVBony SVDuo Band Filter
Scope: William Optics Zenithstar 61II APO Refractor
Camera: ZWO 2600MC Pro
Guide scope: William Optics 32mm Guide scope
Guide camera: ZWO ASI120mm-mini
Computerized Equipment and Software:
Computerized Equipment and Software:
Mount: iOptron GEM 28
Beelink Mini PC S Intel 11th Gen
Focuser: ZWO EAF (Electronically Assisted Focuser)
Filter Wheel: ZWO 5 Position
Pegasus Pocket Powerbox
NINA 3.2 used for capture
PixInsight for Processing
The Tadpoles in IC 410 are dense, elongated clouds of gas and dust—cosmic embryos where new stars are being born. Their curved heads and trailing tails resemble swimming tadpoles, sculpted by intense radiation and stellar winds from nearby young stars.
These structures stretch about 10 light-years across and are thought to be active star-forming regions, similar in nature to the famous Pillars of Creation.
The Tadpoles point away from the central cluster NGC 1893, shaped by the pressure of ultraviolet light and stellar winds from massive O-type stars.
Over time, the surrounding gas will dissipate, leaving behind newborn stars that once hid inside these dusty cocoons.
Source: https://www.constellation-guide.com/tadpole-nebula-ic-410/
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