The Iris Nebula

Iris nebula

Location in Sky

Iris nebula

Acquisition: SkyWatcher 130-PDS. September, 2022


Quick Facts

  • Catalog: NGC 7023
  • Discovered: October 18th 1794, William Herschel.
  • Distance from Earth: 1,300 light-years.
  • Diameter: 6 light-years.
  • Magnitude: 6.8
  • Best Visible: Summer.

    • Description

    The Iris Nebula or NGC 7023, is a reflection nebula located in the Cepheus constellation. This nebula is unlike most nebulae because of the lack of ionized gasses. Reflection nebulae glow because of extremely tiny dust particles, 10 - 100 times smaller than dust here on earth. This dust diffuses light coming from a bright star which gives off a bluish hue.