Iris Nebula
About 1,400 light years away in the constellation Cepheus, the Iris Nebula blooms from the depths of the cosmos. The Iris is a reflection nebula in which the light of the central star is reflected off of the surrounding gas and dust. In contrast, emission nebula are energized by radiation from nearby stars causing the gases in the nebula to glow and emit light.
Exposure: Blue: 38x180" (1h 54'), Green: 58x180" (2h 54'), Lum: 195x180" (9h 45') Red: 53x180" (2h 39') Total Integration: 17h 12'