NGC 7023, the Iris Nebula, surrounded by dust and star fields in Cepheus.
🌌 Overview
- Name: Iris Nebula
- Catalog: NGC 7023 (part of LBN 487)
- Constellation: Cepheus
- Distance from Earth: ~1,300 light-years
- Apparent Size: ~18 arcminutes
- Type: Reflection Nebula
✨ What We See
NGC 7023 is one of the brightest and most photogenic reflection nebulae in the night sky. This image captures:
- The bright, blue-white central nebula, caused by scattered starlight
- Illuminating star: HD 200775, a young Herbig Be star
- Surrounding dark molecular clouds and interstellar dust, faintly lit by starlight
- A star field rich with contrast between reflection and absorption regions
🔭 Scientific Highlights
- Unlike emission nebulae, NGC 7023 reflects rather than emits light — mostly in the blue spectrum due to scattering
- It’s a prime region to study interstellar dust grain composition and evolution
- Lies in the Cepheus Flare molecular cloud complex, a site of active star formation
📷 Equipment Used
- Telescope: TS-Optics 80PHQ (544mm f/6.8 Quintuplet APO)
- Camera: SVBONY SV605MC (IMX533 Mono)
- Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ5 Pro
- Guiding: Off-Axis Guider with veLOX 178 C
- Filters: LRGB
- Software: NINA, PHD2, PixInsight, Photoshop
- Overlay: Watermarked signature
📝 Final Thoughts
NGC 7023 (Iris Nebula) is a visual delight for both astrophotographers and stargazers. With its delicate color and soft dust lanes, it serves as a beautiful reminder of the quiet elegance scattered across the cosmos.
In the darkness of space, even dust can bloom like a flower.
Clear skies!