NGC7023, or Caldwell4, is commonly called the Iris Nebula. However, the NGC designation actually refers to the small star cluster within the reflection nebula which was their birth-place. The brilliant blue nebula itself is LBN487. The Caldwell catalogue refers to both of them as a group.
This is one of the finest examples of a pure reflection nebula in the sky....which are actually kinda rare. Most are emission or mixed. The bright 7th magnitude star at it's center, which almost always is over-exposed, may or may not be an actual member of the small cluster within. This is still up for debate.
This image was taken with the 24" Classical Cassegrain scope of SierraStars Observatory. The 4 LRGB exposures were all 180 seconds, processed with Maxim & Photoshop.
