SBIG ST-4000XCM
21x600sec
Imager Temp -20C
Celestron 9.25 Reduced 0.63
Full Frame

Named for it's resemblance to the beautiful blue/purple Iris flower, LBN487 is a pure reflection nebula, caused by light from the central magnitude 7 star, SAO 19158, being reflected off dust particles left over from when the star was formed. NGC 7023 refers to the open cluster in the triangular gap in the nebulous region.

Infrared observations indicate that this nebula may contain complex carbon molecules known as PAHs. The Iris nebula is about 6 light-years across.

May 18, 2009