NGC 7023 The Iris Nebula

The Details
Object	NGC 7023 The Iris Nebula in Cepheus
Optics	12.5" RCOS Ritchey-Chretien
Platform	Astro-Physics 1200 GTO
Camera	SBIG ST-10XME
Filters	Tru-Balance LRGB filter set
Date	07 June 2005
Location	Laguna Mountains, Eastern San Diego County, CA
Exposure	L 21 x 300 sec 1x1 bin, RGB 4ea x 300 sec 2x2 bin
Software	Maxim DL/CCD, Registar, Photoshop, Neat Image 4.4 Pro+
Orientation	Field of View: 19’53" x 14’49" centered on RA 21h01m18.5s DEC 68°09’57” (2000.0) . North angle 2.46°; east 90° CCW from north
Notes	The Iris Nebula, NGC 7023 is a beautiful and complex object consisting of emission and reflection nebulae, a dark dust cloud and a very young, massive Herbig Be star at its center illuminating the entire mass. Hints of the emission nebula can be seen in the pastel reds and pinks surrounding the exquisite blue reflection nebula at the heart of this object. A dark dust cloud frames the entire nebula, giving it a three-dimensional depth and making it one of the jewels of the night sky. This image was the result of a collaborative effort between Dave Jurasevich and David Held , sharing data acquisition and processing tasks.