This nebula gets its name from the chaotic appearance of the
rippling pattern of ionized hydrogen (red) and reflecting
dust (blue) around the brightest star in this image, known as
AE Aurigae. Stars are formed in clouds of hydrogen such as this one,
but AE Aurigae did not form out of this cloud of hydrogen.
2.7 million years ago, this star had a close encounter with at least one
other star in the Orion Nebula, and the gravitational slingshot from that
encounter sent AE Aurigae speeding away. At the moment it is passing through,
and lighting up, this cloud of gas and dust in the constellation Auriga. This
nebula is 5 light years in diameter, and 1500 light years from earth.

Image data:
Camera: Canon 350XT (modified)
Exposure: ISO 800, 5 mintues x 37
Telescope: 10" Schmidt-Newtonian
Baader coma corrector