The bright blue center of this stellar flower is approximately 6 light-years across. The Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) is located 1,300 light-years away, in the constellation of Cepheus. The blue, cloudy appearance is caused by interstellar dust and gas reflecting the colors of starlight around young, extremely hot stars, which form a shape that looks somewhat like flower petals, giving the nebula its name. Faint hints of color near the center indicate that there are hydrogen emissions taking pace and a possibilityof PAHs. The reddish dust particles give off their brighter colors because they have converted ultraviolet starlet into visible red light. The Iris Nebula is a wonderful example of a reflection nebula.
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