Emission and Reflection Nebula in Auriga
The bright star in the midst of this complex nebula is AE Aurigae, a magnitude 6 star that is illuninating the nebula as it passes through it. The red sections are emission nebulae (glowing hydrogen gas) and the blue sections are reflected light from small dust particles. The brightest parts of the nebula can be seen in even small telescopes under dark skies. But like most dim nebulae, it appears colorless through the eyepiece.
| Magnitude | 10 |
| Apparent Size | 37' x 19' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 1,400 |
| Right Ascension | 05:16.2 |
| Declination | +47 16 |
| Field of View | 31' x 23' |
Image details: Exposure times of 30 minutes luminance and 27 minutes each of red, green and blue, taken with an SBIG STF-8300M camera and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/5.5.
April 2023
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