IC 405 & IC 410 - Flaming Star and Tadpoles Nebulas

Captured over 17 hours, revealing faint, turbulent structures deep within these two nebulas as well as surrounding Ha gas.

Flaming Star (top left)

Distance From Earth - 1,500 Light Years
Diameter - 5 Light Years
Total Exposure Time - 17Hours

Tadpoles (bottom right)

Distance From Earth - 12,000 - 12,400 Light Years
Diameter - 100 Light Years
Total Exposure Time - 17 Hours

IC 405, the Flaming Star nebula is an emission and reflection nebula located in the constellation Auriga. It glows due to it being energized by the hot, fast moving star AE Aurigae, whose intense ultraviolet radiation excitees the surrounding hydrogen gas causing it to emit a deep red light.

IC 410, the Tadpoles Nebula is an emission nebula also located in the constellation Auriga. Its most distinctive features are two elongated clouds of dense gas and dust - nickednamed the “tadpoles” - which are sculpted by intense radiation and stellar winds from nearby massive stars.

This image took 2nd place in a “What’s In the Night Sky” run by Alyn Wallace in February 2024.