NGC 7023, also known as the Iris Nebula, is a reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus, about 1,400 light-years from Earth. A reflection nebula doesn’t emit its own light; instead, it reflects light from nearby stars. In this case, the light comes from a young star named HD 200775, located at the center of the nebula.
The Iris Nebula spans roughly 6 light-years across and is known for its stunning blue color, which results from starlight reflecting off fine dust particles. This blue glow is typical in reflection nebulae because the dust scatters blue light more efficiently than other colors, similar to why the sky on Earth appears blue. In addition to the striking blue, the nebula also has areas of darker, dense dust clouds that create a stark contrast against the glowing regions.
NGC 7023 is particularly interesting to astronomers because it provides insights into how stars and planetary systems form. The nebula’s dust contains complex molecules like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are organic compounds that could be crucial for life. Studying these molecules helps scientists understand the chemical processes that take place in space.
With telescopes, NGC 7023 appears as a delicate, flower-like structure surrounded by darker areas, giving it its “Iris” name. For amateur astronomers, the nebula can be seen with small telescopes as a faint, hazy patch, but its full beauty comes out in long-exposure photographs. The Iris Nebula offers a glimpse into the interplay between young stars and their surrounding material, showcasing the dynamic nature of star formation in our galaxy.
Capture Details:
Telescope: Celestron Nexstar 8se
Reducer/Flattener: Celestron .63x Reducer/Flattener
Filter: Optolong L-Pro Optolong L-Extreme
Camera: ZWO ASI294 MC Pro
Mount: Skywatcher EQM-35 Pro
Total Time: 8 hours 48 minutes
Capture Software: N.I.N.A.
Guiding: PHD2, ZWO asi120mm mini, ZWO OAG-L
Processed in: PixInsight
Additional details on Astrobin.com.