Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cepheus (Cep)  ·  Contains:  Iris Nebula  ·  NGC 7023
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NGC 7023 - The Iris Nebula LRGB, BrianH
NGC 7023 - The Iris Nebula LRGB
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NGC 7023 - The Iris Nebula LRGB

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
NGC 7023 - The Iris Nebula LRGB, BrianH
NGC 7023 - The Iris Nebula LRGB
Powered byPixInsight

NGC 7023 - The Iris Nebula LRGB

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Description

NGC 7023 - The Iris Nebula is a bright reflection nebula with a magnitude +6.8 in the constellation Cepheus. It lies about 1,300 light-years from Earth and is about six light-years in wide. In the center amongst the dusty nebular material is young hot star (SAO 19158) with a magnitude +7.4. (1)

"This nebula is of particular interest to scientists because of its colors. Reflection nebulae glow because they are made up of extremely tiny particles of solid matter, up to 10 or even 100 times smaller than dust particles on Earth. These particles diffuse the light around them, giving the nebula a second-hand glow that’s typically bluish (like our sky). While the Iris Nebula appears predominantly blue, it includes large filaments of deep red, indicating the presence of an unknown chemical compound likely based on hydrocarbons. Studying nebulae like this one helps astronomers learn more about the ingredients that combine to make stars." (2) 

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Nebula

(2) https://science.nasa.gov/ngc-7023-iris-nebula

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NGC 7023 - The Iris Nebula LRGB, BrianH