IC 405 (SH 2-229, or Caldwell 31) is an emission and reflection nebula[1] in the constellation Auriga north of the celestial equator, surrounding the bluish, irregular variable star AE Aurigae.
The Caldwell catalogue is an astronomical catalogue of 109 star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies for observation by amateur astronomers. The list was compiled by Patrick Moore as a complement to the Messier catalogue.
Viewing Location – My House
- Lat/Lon: 34.11065, -117.65362
- Sky Magnitude: 18.45 magnitudes/square arcsecond
- Sky Luminance: 4.50 mcd/m2
- Bortle Scale: 7 (suburban/urban transition)…which is pretty awful for star-gazing, but it’s only 20ft from my patio… so it’s convenient.
Observation
- Catalog Designation: IC 405 or Caldwell 31
- Celestial Coordinates: RA 05h 16m 05s | Dec +34° 27′ 49″
- Observation Duration: 1 night, 823 x 10sec = 137 minutes
- CCD temperature in degrees Celsius: 20
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Surrounding Constellation – Auriga
Auriga is a constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is one of the 88 modern constellations; it was among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. Its name is Latin for ‘charioteer’, associating it with various mythological beings, including Erichthonius and Myrtilus. Auriga is most prominent during winter evenings in the northern Hemisphere, as are five other constellations that have stars in the Winter Hexagon asterism.
