The Flaming Star Nebula is an emission and reflection nebula in the constellation Auriga, part of a molecular cloud illuminated by the “runaway” star AE Aurigae. This bright star is a transient visitor to this region, ejected from the Orion Nebula by the collision of two binary star groups. Ultraviolet radiation from the star ionizes and excites hydrogen gas glows to glow red. A smaller region closer to the star shines blue, due to the dust reflecting the starlight. (nebula description from “The 100 Best Astrophotography Targets”)
Image taken on Feb.5th from Roberts Creek, with a 120mm Megrez and a DSLR camera. Sky conditions were q good with an SQM of 20 but humidity was high at >75%.
Sunshine Coast Centre RASC 