NGC 7023: The Iris Nebula

These cosmic clouds possess blossomed 1,300 gentle-years away, in the fertile starfields of the constellation Cepheus. Called the Iris Nebula, NGC 7023 will not be any longer the categorical nebula to evoke the imagery of plant life. Smooth, this deep telescopic image reveals off the Iris Nebula’s differ of colours and symmetries, embedded in surrounding fields of interstellar mud. Within the Iris itself, dusty nebular field fabric surrounds a sizzling, younger giant name. The dominant colour of the brighter reflection nebula is blue, attribute of mud grains reflecting starlight. Central filaments of the reflection nebula glow with a faint reddish photoluminesence as some mud grains effectively convert the giant name’s invisible ultraviolet radiation to visible purple gentle. Infrared observations show that this nebula comprises advanced carbon molecules identified as PAHs. The dusty blue petals of the Iris Nebula span about six gentle-years.