IC 405 - Flaming Star Nebula
Jan 2026
Integrated approximately 12 hours of imaging time using a dual narrowband (Ha | OIII) filter on this nebula.
Processing:
The image was stretched using the VeraLux HyperMetric Stretch script, followed by a pseudo-SHO color palette workflow based on Lukomatico's Tutorial .
Wikipedia:
IC 405 (also known as the Flaming Star Nebula, SH 2-229, or Caldwell 31) is an emission and reflection nebula in the constellation Auriga, north of the celestial equator. It surrounds the bluish, irregular variable star AE Aurigae and shines at magnitude +6.0.
The nebula lies near the emission nebula IC 410, the open clusters M38 and M36, and the K-type star Iota Aurigae.
IC 405 measures approximately 37.0′ × 19.0′ and is located about 1,500 light-years from Earth. It is roughly 5 light-years across. The proper motion of its central star can be traced back to the Orion’s Belt region.
| Filter | SV220 Dual Narrowband |
| Lights | 143 |
| Single Exposure | 300 sec |
| Total Exposure | 11 hr 55 min |
| Gain | 101 |
| Offset | 200 |
| Temp (°C) | -10.0 °C |
| Capture Dates | Moon Illumination |
| 19 January 2026 | New Moon (0.12%) |
| 20 January 2026 | Waxing Crescent (1.54%) |
| Camera: | Omegon VeTec571c |
| Telescope: | Skywatcher Evolux-82ED |
| Reducer: | Skywatcher Flatenner 0.9x Evolux-82ED |
| Guide Camera: | ZWO ASI174MM Mini |
| Guider: | Askar Off-Axis-Guider |
| Mount: | ZWO AM5N |
| Tripod: | ZWO Carbon Fiber Tripod TC40 |
| Filter Wheel: | Svbony SV226 |
| Eaf: | Gemini Automatic Star Focuser Pro |
| Dew Heater: | Svbony SV172 |
| Flat Panel: | WELZK A3 Light Pad |
| Acquisition | |
| Processing |