Image consists of eighteen 10-minute sub exposures, 3 hours total,
through a 13nm hydrogen alpha filter. Seeing was mediocre, FWHM in low 2's,
with bright 70% illuminated moon. AP 130 @ f/4.5 ota mounted on
Tak EM-200 Temma 2, SXV H9 ccd and guiding via STV/Efinder. Imaged from my
light polluted SF Bay Area yard with streetlights blazing nearby.

The bright star in this photograph is known as AE Aurigae. It's not really on fire,
but the rippling tendrils of gas and dust surrounding must have given that
impression to those first observing it. The nebula is made up mainly of hydrogen,
but is also laced with carbon-rich dust grains somewhat similar to smoke particles.
The hydrogen glows red by a process of emission, rather similar to the way a
fluorescent light bulb glows. The dust grains comprise the bluish areas of the
nebula, and are seen by the light of AE Aurigae that they reflect.