Flaming Star Nebula:  This is an approx. 5 LY extended emission and reflection nebula    in a distance of 1500 LY. It is generated by the blue-white star AE Aurigae in the center of the image. The red color comes from the excitation of the so-called H-alpha spectral line of hydrogen by the intensive star radiation. The blue parts are due to the reflection and diffraction of the light by small carbon particles dispersed in the hygrogen gas.