This is an image of NGC 7023, also known as the Iris Nebula. NGC 7023 is a bright reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus. The nebula is reflecting light from the bright central star HD 200775. You can also see the dark cloud of dust and gas surrounding the nebula. This dark cloud consists of tiny particles of solid matter, with sizes from ten to a hundred times smaller than those of the dust grains we find at home. The nebula is about 1300 light years away and has a diameter of about 6 light years.
August 28, 2011
Location: Rancho Hidalgo, NM
Telescope: TEC-140 (F7)
Camera: SBIG ST-8300M
Mount: AP900 GTO
Luminance: 12x10 minutes
Red: 6x10 minutes
Green: 6x10 minutes
Blue: 6x10 minutes