NGC 7023 Iris Nebula
Magnitude: 6.8
Distance: Aprox: 1,300 light-years
Constellation: Cepheus
The Iris Nebula is an interesting and beautiful reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus. The Iris Nebula is illuminated by a central hot star named SAO 19158 (aka HD 200775), which is 10 times the mass of our sun. In the center of the nebula, there are several ruddy-colored wisps and filaments of dust that emit broad band red light, instead of reflecting the more typical blue light of a reflection nebula. These red regions represent extended red emission (ERE), which is a type of phospholuminescence associated with dust particles that are bombared by high energy UV radiation from SAO 19158.
Taken 9/8/18 in Agawna Bay Lake Superior Provential Park, Canada by Russell Kille on a CPC 1100 with Hyperstar @ F2 and ZWO ASI294MC Pro camera