IC 405 The Flaming Star Nebula (SHO / Hubble Palette)

IC 405 is a complex emission and reflection nebula in Auriga, energized by the hot O-type runaway star AE Aurigae. Located at an estimated distance of ~1,500 light-years, the nebula spans roughly 5 light-years across and is embedded in a rich field of Galactic dust and faint hydrogen filaments.

In this SHO narrowband rendering, S II traces the denser, cooler ionized regions outlining elongated dust pillars and shock-compressed fronts, H-alpha dominates the bulk emission structure, and O III highlights the highly energized gas closest to AE Aurigae, producing the blue-green core around the star. The strong ionization gradient visible across the frame reflects both the intense ultraviolet radiation and the star’s high proper motion as it plows through the surrounding interstellar medium.

IC 405 is notable for its mixed emission/reflection characteristics—while narrowband emphasizes ionized gas dynamics and filamentary structure, the nebula also contains dust that reflects starlight, adding complexity to its morphology. The resulting scene captures a snapshot of active stellar feedback sculpting the local interstellar environment.