NGC 7023 - The Iris Nebula in Cepheus
 

 

Copyright 2010 Hap Griffin

 

NGC 7023 is commonly called the Iris Nebula because of its resemblance to the flower of the same name.  It is a reflection nebula with the gas and dust reflecting the light of the 6.8 magnitude star in its center, SAO 19158.  The thick concentration of dust in this area contributes to the reddish cast of most of the stars shining through it.

NGC 7023 lies at a distance of 1300 light years and is approximately 6 light years across.

Date/Location:    October 6, 2010     Griffin/Hunter Observatory    Bethune, SC
Camera: QSI 583wsg
Filters: Astrodon E Series Generation 2 LRGB
CCD Temperature: -10 C
Instrument:    Planewave 12.5" CDK
Focal Ratio:   f/8
Mount: AP-1200
Guiding:    Auto via the QSI camera's built in Off-Axis Guider mirror and an SBIG ST-402 Guider
Conditions:    Cool and clear
Weather:    60 - 45 F, still
Exposure: 300 minutes total (12 x 10 min Luminance, 6 x 10 min each in RGB)
Capture: CCDAutopilot 4 w/ Maxim DL Camera Control, focused automatically w/ FocusMax   
Processing:    Frame calibrations, alignment and stacking with ImagesPlus v3.80.  Finishing in Photoshop CS4.

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