The Iris Nebula

 
NGC 7023, The Iris Nebula
 
Image Information
Date Imaged 09/20/2008
Location Imaged From Barking Pumpkin Observatory

Tierra del Sol , CA

Equipment Telescope: 10" LX200
Mount: Ulti-Wedge
Camera: SBIG ST2000XM
Astrodon True-Balance RGB,
Astrodon 6nm H-alpha
Focal Ratio: f/5.6
Exposure Information

R-24X5min, GB-18X5min,
L-30X5min+All RGB Subframes

The Iris Nebula, also NGC 7023 and Caldwell 4, is a bright reflection nebula and Caldwell object in the constellation Cepheus. NGC 7023 is actually the cluster within the nebula, LBN 487, and the nebula is lit by a mag. +7 star, SAO 19158. It shines at magnitude +6.8. It is located near the Mira-type variable star T Cephei, and near the bright magnitude +3.23 variable star Beta Cephei (Alphirk). It lies 1,300 light-years away and is six light-years across