Two of the more interesting nebulae are the Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) and the Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405). Maybe the "NGC" and "IC" designations should be explained before I get into describing these two nebulae.
"NGC" is the abbreviation for the New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters. There are 7840 telescopic objects in this collection of deep sky objects (DSOs). The catalogue was compiled during the 1880s by J. L. E. Dreyer using observations from William Herschel and his son John, among others. Dreyer had already published an update to the Herschel's Catalogue of Nebulae, but a new update was refused by the Royal Astronomical Society, who asked Dreyer to compile a New General Catalogue. This catalogue was published in 1888.
"IC" designations, or Index Collections, are an expansion of the NGC collection. IC I in 1896 & IC II in 1905 added an additional 5,386 objects.
In taking astrophotographs, I began with the Messier Objects, designated as "M" with a number following up to over 100 DSOs. This early catalog was assembled by French astronomer Charles Messier in 1771. Although I have not imaged all of the Messier DSOs, I have become interested in some of the several thousand objects in the "NGC" and "IC" groupings. A Messier object will usually be listed with an NGC number.
Back to the NGC 7023, the Iris Nebula. It is a reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus, about 1300 light years away. It looks eerie, appearing as an eye...or at least a part of one.
Below is my 10 minute image. Click on it for a larger view.
The Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405)is a diffuse nebula in the constellation Auriga that mainly surrounds the star AE Aurigae and gives the impression that the star is burning, hence its name. It is about 1500 light years away.
I had to do some manipulation with this 15 minute stacked exposure to bring out the flaming portion. Click on for a larger view.
