It is a mixed emission and reflection nebula located in the constellation of Auriga. Its appearance results from the interaction between ionized gas, which emits a reddish glow but has been rendered in a silvery colour in this image, and interstellar dust, which reflects the bluish light of the hot star AE Aurigae.

This star is travelling through the nebula at high speed, probably after being ejected from a multiple-star system several million years ago.