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This astronomical image captures cosmic dust clouds in the constellation Cepheus, located approximately 1,200 light-years from Earth at the edge of the Cepheus Flare molecular cloud complex. The field features two prominent nebulae: the Ghost Nebula (vdB 141/Sh2-136), which spans over 2 light-years and shows reddish regions indicating early star formation, and the Iris Nebula (NGC 7023), which reflects bluish light from young hot stars. These interstellar dust fields, visible through reflected starlight, extend across nearly six full moon widths in the sky.
Why it matters
This observation provides valuable insight into active star formation regions and the composition of interstellar dust clouds. Studying these nebulae helps astronomers understand the early stages of stellar birth and the physical processes occurring in molecular cloud complexes.
Understand the Science
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Haunting the Cepheus Flare
Explanation: Spooky shapes seem to haunt this dusty expanse, drifting through the night in the royal constellation Cepheus. Of course, the shapes are cosmic dust clouds visible in dimly reflected starlight. Far from your own neighborhood, they lurk above the plane of the Milky Way at the edge of the Cepheus Flare molecular cloud complex some 1,200 light-years away. Over 2 light-years across and brighter than most of the other ghostly apparitions, vdB 141 or Sh2-136 is also known as the Ghost Nebula. It lies at lower right in the starry field of view. Inside the Ghost Nebula are reddish telltale signs of dense cores collapsing in the early stages of star formation. With the eerie hue of interstellar dust reflecting bluish light from hot young stars of NGC 7023, the Iris Nebula stands out against the dark just left of center. In the broad telescopic frame, these fertile interstellar dust fields stretch almost six full moons across the sky.
Tomorrow’s picture: night on a spooky planet
| Date | October 31, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Credit & Copyright: | Mirko Tondinelli |
| Authors & editors: | Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, Robert Nemiroff, Keighley Rockcliffe |
| A service of: |
ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U. |