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   CHRS: LATIN-1 2   
                           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 R÷ell   
      
      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   
        __________________________________________________________________   
      
          Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)   
               NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.   
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                         A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,   
                              NASA Science Activation   
                                & Michigan Tech. U.   
      
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