This image covers an area approximately 2° x 2.5° in the constellation Auriga. It includes both emission nebulae IC 405 and IC 410.
IC 410, sometimes known as Tadpole Nebula because of its northeastern filaments, is linked to the open cluster NGC 1893 formed by young massive rather dispersed stars . The region is home to major processes of star formation creating massive stars. IC 405 (Flaming Star Nebula, SH 2-229, or Caldwell 31) is both emission and reflection nebula. It surrounds the bluish irregular variable star AE Aurigae and have a visible magnitude of +6.0. The complex lies about 1,500 light-years away from Earth. It is believed that the proper motion of the central star can be traced back to the Orion's Belt area.