Reflection Nebula vdB 31 & Dark Clouds B 26, B27, B28
History
This reflection nebula was discovered by the Canadian astronomer Sidney van den Bergh on the photographic plates of the «Palomar Observatory Sky Survey» and published as 31st object (vdB 31) in 1966 in his «Catalogue of Reflection Nebulae». [255] To the north and west of this, several dark clouds (B 26, B 27 and B 28) obscure the view of stars lying behind. These were already recorded in 1919 by the American astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard. [239]
Physical Properties
The reflection nebula vdB 31 envolves the variable star AB Aurigae (BD 30°741), a Herbig A0-A1 star surrounded by a dust disk. He is at a distance of 162.9 ± 1.5 pc. Infrared images showed the disk to have a spiral structure, indicating the formation of one or more giant planets. This is an ideal object for studying planet formation due to its close proximity and low tilt angle to the dust disk. [410]
| Name | Type | RA (J2000.0) | Dec (J2000.0) | PM [mas/y] | Parall. [mas] | Rvel [km/s] | z | SP Type | Magnitudes | Identifiers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vdB 31 | Ae* | 04h 55m 46s | +30° 33' 04" | 4.018 | 6.4127 | 8.9 | 0.00003 | A0Ve | U 7.2; B 7.16; V 7.05; G 7.111234; R 6.96; I 6.7; J 5.936; H 5.062; K 4.23 | 2MASS J04554582+3033043; AAVSO 0449+30B; AG+30 462; AKARI-FIS-V1 J0455460+303320; AKARI-IRC-V1 J0455458+303303; BD+30 741; EM* MWC 93; FMC 5; GBS-VLA J045545.85+303304.0; GC 5998; GCRV 2908; GEN# +1.00031293; GSC 02387-00812; Gaia DR1 156917489152834688; Gaia DR2 156917493449670656; Gaia DR3 156917493449670656; HBC 78; HD 31293; HIC 22910; HIP 22910; IRAS 04525+3028; JCMTSE J045545.8+303305; JCMTSF J045545.8+303305; JP11 947; PLX 1098; PLX 1098.00; PPM 69756; PSCz P04525+3028; RAFGL 5130; SAO 57506; SKY# 7693; SSV LDN 1517 1; SV* HV 3554; TD1 3698; TIC 96680681; TYC 2387-812-1; UBV M 10443; V* AB Aur; VDB 31; WEB 4447; WISE J045545.83+303304.8; WISEA J045545.84+303304.0; XEST 26-043; [GBA2007] 2225; [KW97] 19-56; uvby98 100031293 |
| Barnard 26 | DNe | 04h 54m 36s | +30° 37' 00" | Barnard 26 | ||||||
| Barnard 27 | DNe | 04h 55m 06s | +30° 33' 00" | Barnard 27 | ||||||
| Barnard 28 | DNe | 04h 55m 54s | +30° 38' 00" | Barnard 28 |
Finder Chart
The reflection nebula vdb 31 with the dark clouds B 26, B 27 and B 28 is located in the constellation Auriga. On 8 December it is in opposition to the Sun and culminates at local midnight. The best viewing time is July to May.
