Nebulae
The Iris Nebula
(NGC 7023 or Caldwell 4)
photo by Geoffrey Heller
| Date Taken | August 31, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Location | Olympic Peninsula, Washington USA |
| Exposure | 60 minutes @ 10 minute subs |
| Classification | Reflection Nebula |
| Constellation | Cepheus |
| Distance | 1,300 Light Years |
| Notes | Note that dark clouds of gas in the four cardinal directions block light from stars. You can see where the clouds are by looking where the starts are not. |
| Explanation | NGC 7023 is actually the cluster within the nebula, LBN 487, and the nebula is lit by a mag. +7 star, SAO 19158. |
The Pelican Nebula Ionization Front
(IC 5070)
photo by Geoffrey Heller
| Date Taken | August 24, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Location | Table Mountain (near Ellensburg, Washington USA) |
| Exposure | 91 minutes @ 7 minute subs |
| Classification | Emission Nebula |
| Constellation | Cygnus |
| Distance | 1,800 Light Years |
| Notes | The large football-shaped star halo in the corner of the photo is an imaging artifact and is not real |
| Explanation | An HII region in which star formation is taking place. The light from young energetic stars is slowly transforming the Pelican's cold gas to hot gas, with the advancing boundary between the two known as an ionization front. |
The Ring Nebula
(M 57 or NGC 6822)
photo by Geoffrey Heller
The Dumbbell Nebula
(M 27 or NGC 6853)
photo by Geoffrey Heller
