APOD: 2019 September 12 - The Iris Nebula in a Field of Dust

Good morning, Rallypoint. Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) is titled "The Iris Nebula in a Field of Dust." The Iris Nebula (upper left), also known as NGC 7023, is some 1,300 light-years away along the fertile starfields of the constellation Cepheus. Its symmetric form spans about 6 light-years. This nebula's dominant blue color is characteristic of the pervasive dust grains reflecting light from a nearby hot, bluish star. A close up image of the Iris Nebula was posted on May 6, 2016 (https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap160506.html).