The “Iris” Nebula is a striking reflection nebula about 1400 light years away. Like a fog light the hot, central star illuminates the giant dust cloud surrounding it. Note the pink sections which comprise a small HII emission region surrounding the star.

12 1/2″ Ritchey-Chretien Telescope with an ST10XE/CFW8. F/6LRGB(20/7minBW,5/5min2x2 RGB. Scaled on MaximDL at R 1.0, G 1.0, B1.6).