Iris Nebula (NGC 7023)

[Bill Richards]

The Iris Nebula (aka NGC7023) is a blue reflection nebula surrounded by large clouds of interstellar dust about 1400 light-years away. Its color comes from the scattered light of a bright young star at its center (the same physics which makes our sky blue).

This is the result of over 7-1/2 hours of exposure time taken the night of 9/1/2024. Multiple exposure times were used and combined into a High Dynamic Range (HDR) image.

Equipment and Software:
=======================
Mount: iOptron CEM40 w/iPolar
Telescope: Celestron EdgeHD 8 w/0.7x focal reducer
Auto-Focuser: Rigel Systems nFOCUS
Imaging Camera: ASI2600MC-Pro
Guide Camera: ASI174MM-Mini on OAG
Imaging S/W: NINA
Guiding S/W: PHD2
Image Processing S/W: PixInsight

Exposure Details:
=================
Camera Temperature -10C
Bias: 50
Gain: 100
60 x 7.5s
60 x 30s
206 x 120s
Plus 32x Darks, Flats, and Dark Flats

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[AlanLichty]

Interesting to see the surrounding darker portions of the nebula without the illumination of the star in the center. Nice imaging.

 

[JimFox]

Very nice work Bill! You really did a great job with the Iris. It's one I have captured, but not as nice as this. I like how you are showing the dark nebula surrounding it as well. You combination of exposures worked out really well.

 

[Mike Lewis]

The extra time and effort reallt paid off on this - the details you have retained due to the HDR treatment are impressive, and the result still looks completely natural. Love all the dark dust around the main attraction too - excellent work!

ML