This was my first multi-night project and was a true learning experience! I could write a long narrative about the adventure, but let's talk about it over tea someday instead. Rather, I'll just say that shooting at a target this low in the sky that happens to be rising over an international airport, gives rise to multiple challenges.

The Iris Nebula is actually a complex region, consisting of a massive central star (HD 200775, class B2Ve) surrounded by a close knit open cluster of much smaller stars (NGC 7023). The bright reflection nebula (LBN 487) surrounding the cluster, under closer scrutiny also shows elements of emission nebulosity. The whole complex is embedded in the larger field of dark nebulosity that you find in this region of the sky.

Happily, I was able to preserve the central star, and although the open cluster is faint, some of the members are visible. Sadly though, post-processing was difficult and frustrating for me and I spent more time than I like to spend. A lot more time. I suppose my big takeaway was that sometimes you must spend a lot of time in post to do a credible job with the data. The data were there; I just had to learn how to bring it out for all to see.

On a happier note, even more interesting to me than the Iris, is the nearby presence of the unusual star, T-Cep in the frame. T-Cep is a Mira variable. These variables are somewhat rare (the list is actually short); they are red giants, very luminous, pulsating in long periods (>100 days) with large shifts in apparent magnitude (2-3). All Mira variables are near the end of their lives and are shedding their outer layers, gradually becoming white dwarfs...

For those of you with large scopes, you might be interested to know that these outer layers of Mira variables are one source of Planetary Nebulae. Stick around for a few million years (or sooner), and T-Cep is likely to become one of your north circumpolar targets!

I am grateful for you stopping by and taking a look at my image and hopefully you will feel compelled to post a comment.

.

.

***** ***** T-Cep Insert ***** *****

Spectral Class M6-9e (very orange in color)

Mass 0.55 M☉

Radius 329+70−50 R☉

Luminosity 5,700 L☉

573 ly distant