The Iris Nebula

The Iris Nebula | NGC 7023

Ever since I got into deep sky imaging, I’ve wanted to capture the Iris Nebula. It’s unusual in that there’s not much color, other than the blue being emitted by the star. What I find interesting is all the dark nebulosity throughout the surrounding area. The Dark Shark nebula is a similar kind of object, and one I also hope to capture in the future. This was only two hours of data so I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.

More about the Iris Nebula (AI)

The Iris Nebula, also known as NGC 7023, is a reflection nebula located in the constellation Cepheus. It is situated approximately 1,300 light-years from Earth and is characterized by its striking blue color, which is caused by the scattering of light from nearby stars. The nebula encompasses a bright central star, which illuminates surrounding dust and gas, creating a delicate and intricate structure. The Iris Nebula spans roughly 6 light-years across and is notable for its detailed features, including dark lanes of dust that contrast with the brighter, illuminated regions. This nebula provides valuable insights into the processes of star formation and the properties of interstellar materials.

David Knighton

Amateur astronomer and astrophotographer.

https://www.nkstargazer.com
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