NGC 7023: C4: Iris Nebula (2009 June 10)

[bystander]

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090610.html
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap070626.html
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap051229.html
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap041104.html
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap011214.html

The Iris Nebula, also NGC 7023 and Caldwell 4, is a bright reflection nebula and Caldwell object in the constellation Cepheus. NGC 7023 is actually the cluster within the nebula, LBN 487

The Caldwell Catalogue is an astronomical catalog of 109 bright star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies for observation by amateur astronomers. The list was compiled by Patrick Caldwell-Moore as a complement to the Messier Catalogue.

[quote=""Wikipedia: Patrick Moore"]Sir Alfred Patrick Caldwell-Moore, ... is an English amateur astronomer who has attained prominent status in astronomy as a writer, researcher, radio commentator and television presenter of the subject, and who is credited as having done more than any other to raise the profile of astronomy among the British general public.
...
He is a former president of the British Astronomical Association, co-founder and former president of the Society for Popular Astronomy, author of over 70 books on astronomy, and presenter of the longest running television series (with the same original presenter), The Sky at Night on the BBC. [/quote]
Caldwell Star Chart
Caldwell Objects

[orin stepanek]

I like this one! http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap051229.html

I grow Irises; One of my favorite flowers. I only wish they would stay in bloom longer. At least the nebula will bloom for a long time to come.

Orin

[neufer]

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<<In the RAINBOW portrait is perhaps the most allegorical.

The Latin: *Non Sine Sole Iris* : There is no RAINBOW without the sun.

What do the ears & eyes on the cloak mean?

Her dress is covered in pansies, a flower of springtime-
-what might this also symbolize about Elizabeth's reign?>>
..............................................................
<<Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - the Death Eaters all wear a tattoo of a skull and a snake.
It's a paled tattoo until Voldemort "activates it," calling his followers to come to him.
Then it's very dark and the snake writhes subtly.>>
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