Astrophotographer Greg Meyer captured a spectacular view of the Flame Nebula in the constellation Chariote Auriga in the night sky, about 1,500 light-years from Earth.
AE Auriga is a so-called runaway star. Scientists believe it was born in the central Trapezium star cluster. Orion Nebulabefore being forced out after an interaction with a binary star system about 1.5 million years ago. According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
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The bottom of the image is dominated by the Tadpole Nebula (IC410), which resembles a blue cosmic pond in the pseudocolor image. Two tadpole-shaped columns of yellow dust and gas appear to be swimming toward the nebula’s glowing center, sculpted by stellar winds and radiation from nearby young stars.
Meyer photographed the scene in mid-January under dark Arizona skies using a Radian Raptor 61 mm telescope with an astronomical camera, filters, and supporting peripherals.
Just under 21 hours of light data was collected and edited using a combination of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, and dedicated astrophotography software PixInsight. What in return? A vast nebula, several light years in diameter, has been revealed in astonishing detail far beyond what the human eye can see.
Want to start your own astrophotography journey? Then be sure to read our guide. best camera and lens for photographing the night sky. While you’re at it, why not read our recommendations? The best telescope for astrophotography.
Editor’s note: If you’d like to share your astrophotography with Space.com readers, send your photo, comment, name and location to spacephotos@space.com.