AE Aurigae and the Flaming Star Nebula

Explanation: Is star AE Aurigae on fire? No. Even though AE Aurigae is named the flaming star, the surrounding nebula IC 405 is named the Flaming Star Nebula , and the region appears to have the color of fire , there is no fire. Fire , typically defined as the rapid molecular acquisition of oxygen , happens only when sufficient oxygen is present and is not important in such high-energy, low-oxygen environments such as stars. The material that appears as smoke is mostly interstellar hydrogen , but does contain smoke-like dark filaments of carbon-rich dust grains . The bright star AE Aurigae , visible toward the right near the nebula's center, is so hot it is blue, emitting light so energetic it knocks electrons away from surrounding gas. When a proton recaptures an electron, light is emitted, as seen in the surrounding emission nebula . Pictured above , the Flaming Star nebula lies about 1,500 light years distant, spans about 5 light years , and is visible with a small telescope toward the constellation of the Charioteer (Auriga).

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