These cosmic clouds can be found 1,300 light-years away in the constellation of Cepheus and is called the Iris Nebula (NGC 7023). This deep telescopic image shows off the Iris Nebula's range of colors and symmetries embedded in surrounding fields of interstellar dust. Within the Iris itself, dusty nebular material surrounds a hot, young star. The dominant color of the reflection nebula is blue, which is because of dust grains reflecting starlight. Central filaments of the reflection nebula glow with a faint reddish photoluminescence as some dust grains convert the star's invisible ultraviolet radiation to visible red light. Infrared observations indicate that this nebula contains complex carbon molecules known as PAHs. People tend to say that this nebula reminds them of a flower, so itβs dusty blue βpetalsβ span about six light-years.
Image Credit & Copyright: Lorand Fenyes
