Deep Sky Object in Autumn
NGC7023 (Iris Nebula in Cepheus)


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Date & Time: Nov 21 2009, from 18:54 to 20:21 JST(+0900)
Composed 8 shots with 12min exposed
Optical: VIXEN 20cm(7.9") VISAC with a conversion lens (f=1278mm, F6.4)
with BaaderPlanetarium Moon & Skyglow filter
Auto-guided with VIXEN ATLUX Equatorial & Meade Pictor 201XT
Digital Camera: Nikon D50 (Remodeled)
Location: Ooizumi, Hokuto city, Yamanashi pref.

Camera Settings: Recording Format...12bit CCD-RAW, converted to 16bit TIFF(3008×2000)
CCD Sensitivity...ISO1600



Click on image to enlarge

Wide-field image around NGC7023

Date & Time: Oct 21 2023, from 21:52 to 23:04 JST(+0900)
Composed 10 shots with 8 minutes exposed
Optical: TAKAHASHI 16cm(6.3") epsilon (f=530mm, F3.3)
with LPS-D1 Light-pollution suppression filter
Auto-guided with TAKAHASHI JP Equatorial & SBIG STV
CMOS Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro (Cooled temp.: -20°C)
Location: Ooizumi, Hokuto city, Yamanashi pref.

Camera Settings: Recording format...16bit FITS, converted to 16bit TIFF(6248×4176)
Device Size...23.5×15.7mm, Gain...100



NGC7023 / Reflection Nebula, type 1 R
R.A.21h 00m 30.0s (2000.0)
Dec.+68° 10' 00" (2000.0)
Apparent Size18.0'
Real SizeN/A
Magnitude7.0
DistanceN/A
Other IDsvdB139, LBN487
NGC7023, The Iris Nebula is a minor reflection nebula in Cepheus. The nebula is lying 6 degrees NNW of alpha Cep. This image shows you that there are fewer stars on the outskirts of nebula comparing with outer region. Actually there is a huge dark nebula surrounding the reflection nebula. NGC7023 is emitting white light by reflecting the light of 7th magnitude star passing though in front of the dark nebula by chance.
The celestial sphere includes various flows of dark nebulae in everywhere. Although we cannot detect almost all of those, can be seen like a silhouette if dark clouds are lying in front of the Milky Way, and also can be detected by reflecting the neighboring star's light like the case of NGC7023.
The second image is a wide-field view capturing an area of approximately 2.54×1.7 degrees around the Iris Nebula (NGC 7023). Across almost the entire frame, very faint molecular clouds can be seen extending. It becomes evident that only a small portion of NGC 7023 reflects the light of stars. Notable features include the large dark nebula LDN 1170 just south of the nebula. In the left corner of the frame, you can find Sh2-136, also known as the Ghost Nebula.
Objects around NGC7023 Objects around NGC7023




Saturn Nebula(NGC7009)

NGC7133


Copyright(c) 2009, 2023 by Naoyuki Kurita, All rights reserved.
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