The Iris

NGC 7023, better known as the Iris Nebula, is a bright reflection nebula located about 1,400 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. It is mainly illuminated by the star HD 200775 and spans roughly 6 light-years across. The Iris Nebula is famous for its striking mix of glowing blue regions and intricate dark clouds of dust. Hubble images have also revealed unusual reddish filaments within the bluish glow, adding even more complexity to this object.

Personally, I struggled a bit to bring out the blue tones, as the central region is so bright it almost appears pure white.

To the right lies VDB 141, also known as the Ghost Nebula. It is a reflection nebula shaped like a faint, ghostly figure surrounded by dark interstellar clouds. The nebula is composed of dust that reflects the light of nearby stars, giving it a mysterious, haunting appearance. Its dense regions are also sites where new stars may eventually form.