Observer's guide
About Flaming Star Nebula
Flaming Star Nebula (C31) is catalogued as an emission nebula in Auriga. Its J2000 position is RA 05:16:45, Dec +34:28:00, corresponding to 79.35 degrees RA and 34.3833 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 1,600 light-years away. No consistent angular diameter is available in the source record.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as a moderate target at magnitude 6. It is associated with winter observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around December. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 72.4 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
Its brightness makes it a practical binocular or small-telescope candidate when it is well above the horizon.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is Rad. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 54 bibliographic references.
Confirm the framing in the live sky atlas before choosing a field of view. Use the listed unknown arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.