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Credit & Copyright: JesÇs Vargas
(Sky-Astrophotography)
& Maritxu Poyal (Maritxu)
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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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: AE Aurigae - emission nebula
Publications with words: AE Aurigae - emission nebula
See also: