The Iris Nebula is also known as NGC 7023 and is a bright reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus. NGC 7023 actually refers to the open star cluster within and illuminating the larger reflection nebula called LBN 487.

The nebula, which shines at magnitude +6.8, and is primarily illuminated by only a couple stars in the center of a huge cloud of “dust”. It lies 1,300 light-years away and is about six lightyears across, making its apparent size of 18’ in diameter.

This image was produced from 372 60 second exposures at f5 and ISO100. It was combined with 45 dark, 65 flat, and 72 bias frames to produce just over 6 hours of integrated time.