This image of IC405 Flaming Star Nebula was acquired during the first week of October (2013) when we had a 4 clear nights in a row here in southern Ontario.
View high resolution image here

The Flaming Star Nebula in Auriga (IC 405) is a combination emission and reflection nebula. It is located approximately 1500 light years away from Earth. IC405 contains the famous star AE Aurigae. This is classified as a “runaway” star, since observations over a period of 50 years suggest that AE Aurigae has undergone cross motion in the plane of the sky by about 1450 AU. The current hypothesis is that the star was ejected from the Trapezium in the Orion Nebula after a collision about 2 million years ago.
Technical:
- 10″ Astrograph F3.9 (990mm) FL
- Modified Canon T1i 15mp DSLR
- Skywatcher EQ6 mount
- Nebulosity for acquisition. PHD and Orion autoguider for tracking.
- Total time 3.5 hours. Processed in PS.
As always thanks for reading and #clearskies!

My story began more than 40 years ago looking up at the Moon with a small collapsible telescope my Father had. Encouraged by my parents, who bought me my very own telescope, a 4.5″ reflector, I began to explore the night sky from my family home backyard. Today I do astrophotography from my home in Kitchener, Ontario and also with remote telescopes located in New Mexico and Australia. Some of my images have won awards and have been featured online and in magazines.
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