NGC 7023, the 'Iris Nebula'
Object type: Reflection Nebula and Open cluster
Constellation: Cepheus
Date: 2007-11-01
Location: Postalm/ Austria (1300m)
Telescope: 80/480 TMB + 0.8 TV reducer/flattener
Camera: Starlight XPress SXV-H9
Image type: LRGB
Binning: 1x1 L and 2x2 RGB
Exposure time: L 11x15' = 1h50'
RGB: 2h04'
in total: 3h54'
Like delicate cosmic petals, these clouds of interstellar dust and gas have
blossomed 1,300 light-years away in the fertile star fields of the constellation
Cepheus. Sometimes called the Iris Nebula and dutifully cataloged as NGC 7023,
this is not the only nebula in the sky to evoke the imagery of flowers. Still,
the beautiful digital image shows off the Iris Nebula's range of colors and
symmetries in impressive detail. Within the Iris, dusty nebular material surrounds
a massive, hot, young star in its formative years. Central filaments of cosmic
dust glow with a reddish photoluminesence as some dust grains effectively
convert the star's invisible ultraviolet radiation to visible red light. Yet
the dominant color of the nebula is blue, characteristic of dust grains reflecting
starlight. Dark, obscuring clouds of dust and cold molecular gas are also
present and can lead the eye to see other convoluted and fantastic shapes.
Infrared observations indicate that this nebula may contain complex carbon
molecules known as PAHs.
More info on: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap041104.html