                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2023 March 1
    Pictured are two red nebulas on the far left and center, and a comet
    complete with a green coma and a long blue ion tail on the far right.
          Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

                           The Flaming Star Nebula
                    Image Credit & Copyright: Thomas Röell

   Explanation: Is star AE Aurigae on fire? No. Even though AE Aurigae is
   named the Flaming Star and the surrounding nebula IC 405 is named the
   Flaming Star Nebula, and even though the nebula appears to some like a
   swirling flame, 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 bright star AE Aurigae occurs near the
   center of the Flaming Star Nebula and is so hot it glows 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. Captured here three weeks ago, the Flaming
   Star Nebula is visible near the composite image's center, between the
   red Tadpole Nebula on the left and blue-tailed Comet ZTF on the right.
   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).

                   Tomorrow's picture: disturbing galaxies
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
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