Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405), an emission nebula illuminated by the bright star AE Aurigae. An emission nebula (HII region) is a cloud of gas and dust which glows as its hydrogen gas is ionised by radiation from a hot star embedded in it. In most cases an emission nebula is lit up by a star created in it, but AE Aurigae is merely moving through IC 405, lighting it as it does so. Some of the gas is not ionised, appearing mauve as it reflects the star's light (a reflection nebula). IC 405 lies around 1600 light years from Earth in the constellation Auriga.