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About AE Aurigae: Located in the constellation of Auriga, the Charioteer, AE Aurigae is the bright blue star at the center of the image. The incredible energy from this hot, massive star is energizing the surrounding gas (known as IC 405), causing it to glow dramatically. As a result it is also known as the flaming star. AE Aurigae was formed in the stellar nurseries in the constellation of Orion, and was flung out about 2.5 million year ago at fantastic speeds. In fact, AE Aurigae is flying through space at a velocity of about 100 km/sec, or about 220,000 miles an hour! The nebulosity surrounding AE Aurigae is not related to the star, it is simply a cloud of gas energized as AE Aurigae passes nearby. In about 10,000 years the star will have moved on and the nebula will fall dark.