Target guide · reflection nebula
NGC 7023 Iris Nebula with a smart telescope
NGC 7023 Iris Nebula is a reflection nebula about 10 arcminutes (0.17°) across. It is highest around midnight in August, best placed for the northern hemisphere, and faint and spread out; it really benefits from a dark site and a long total exposure. Of the 14 smart telescopes we track, Odyssey, Odyssey Pro, eQuinox 2 frame it best.
Key facts
| Catalogue | NGC 7023 |
|---|---|
| Type | reflection nebula |
| Apparent size | 10′ × 8′ |
| Position (J2000) | RA 21.03 h, Dec 68.2° |
| Highest at midnight | August (±2 weeks) |
| Sky needed | Dark sky |
In the best-matching frame
Imaging tips
A reflection nebula reflects starlight, so it has the same colours as the light pollution around it. A dark site matters more here than any filter. Iris Nebula is a target for your darkest nights.
Which smart telescope frames it best
| Telescope | Field of view | Fit | Mosaic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unistellar Odyssey | 0.75° × 0.56° | fits well | one frame |
| Unistellar Odyssey Pro | 0.75° × 0.56° | fits well | one frame |
| Unistellar eQuinox 2 | 0.76° × 0.57° | fits well | one frame |
| Unistellar eVscope 2 | 0.76° × 0.57° | fits well | one frame |
| ZWO Seestar S50 | 1.29° × 0.73° | fits well | one frame |
| Celestron Origin Mark II | 1.32° × 0.75° | fits well | one frame |
| DWARFLAB DWARF mini | 2.13° × 1.2° | small in the frame | one frame |
| ZWO Seestar S30 | 2.14° × 1.21° | small in the frame | one frame |
| ZWO Seestar S50 Pro | 2.45° × 1.38° | small in the frame | one frame |
| Vaonis Vespera II | 2.5° × 1.4° | small in the frame | one frame |
| Vaonis Vespera 3 | 2.5° × 1.4° | small in the frame | one frame |
| Vaonis Vespera Pro 2 | 1.6° × 1.6° | small in the frame | one frame |
| DWARFLAB DWARF 3 | 2.93° × 1.65° | small in the frame | one frame |
| ZWO Seestar S30 Pro | 3.99° × 2.24° | small in the frame | one frame |
How high it gets from where you live
Highest altitude above a flat horizon. Below about 20° the image suffers from haze and light pollution; trees and roofs often block it completely.
| Latitude | Highest altitude |
|---|---|
| Oslo, 60° N | 82° |
| Amsterdam, 52° N | 74° |
| Madrid, 40° N | 62° |
| Miami, 26° N | 48° |
| Equator | 22° |
| Sydney, 34° S | never rises |
Nearby in the sky
Objects close to NGC 7023 in the sky, so you can image them in the same session.
- NGC 6946 Fireworks Galaxy
- IC 1396 Elephant's Trunk Nebula
- NGC 7380 Wizard Nebula
- NGC 7635 Bubble Nebula
- M52
- NGC 6543 Cat's Eye Nebula
Questions and answers
- Can I photograph NGC 7023 Iris Nebula from a city?
- It is hard: it is faint and spread out; it really benefits from a dark site and a long total exposure.
- Which smart telescope is best for NGC 7023 Iris Nebula?
- Odyssey, Odyssey Pro, eQuinox 2 frame it best in a single frame, based on its size and each telescope's field of view.
- When is the best time to photograph NGC 7023 Iris Nebula?
- It is highest around midnight in August and best placed for the northern hemisphere. From 52° north it climbs to about 74° at most.