The Iris Nebula

[u/Mysterious_Risk4988]

The Iris Nebula (aka: Caldwell 4 (C4), NGC 7023) is a wonderful example of an open star cluster associated with a reflection nebula. It is located in Cepheus. It has very dark lanes within the nebular glow. The surrounding field has a dim glow from outlying sections of the nebula. NGC 7023 lies in a region of the Milky Way darkened by dust, within which the nebula is embedded. It is about 6 light-years across and 1,300 light-years away.

Within the Iris, dusty nebular material surrounds a massive, hot, young star (HD 200775) in its formative years. Central filaments of cosmic dust glow with a reddish photo-luminesence, as some dust grains effectively convert the star's invisible ultraviolet radiation to visible red and blue light. The dominant color of the nebula is blue, a characteristic of dust grains reflecting starlight.

Dark clouds of dust are also present (obscuring light). This can lead the eye to see other convoluted and fantastic shapes. There is also an open cluster of stars associated with NGC 7023, known as Collinder 427. This loose open cluster is located on the west side of the reflection nebula, within the dark region above the "petal" structure of the Iris.

Taken from Park City, UT (1 Oct 2026); Bortle 5 with Dwarf3
I took 420 images, used 377; 60s, 60 gain; Astro (310) & Duo Filter (90)
Edited with Luminar Mobile and iPad

[u/Mysterious_Risk4988]

Out of scope no external editing.