Photograph
The Iris Nebula (NGC 7023)
A cosmic flower blooming about 1,300 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. Unlike most glowing nebulae, this is a reflection nebula composed of fine interstellar dust. It does not produce its own light but instead scatters and reflects the brilliance of the massive, young star at its center, giving the delicate dusty petals their signature, mesmerizing blue hue.
Beyond the frame
The blue color does not come from blue gas, but from the way fine dust grains scatter the light of the central star. Shorter blue wavelengths are scattered more efficiently—the same physical principle that makes Earth’s sky appear blue. Beyond the bright “iris” lie vast dark clouds, visible mainly because they obscure the stars behind them.