Your guide to astrophotography

Sh2-136: The Ghost Nebula is a hauntingly stunning reflection nebula located approximately 1,200 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. This eerie formation earns its nickname from its spectral appearance created by wispy tendrils of interstellar dust illuminated by embedded young stars, giving it the illusion of ghostly figures drifting through space.

Unlike emission nebulae, which glow from ionized gases, the Ghost Nebula reflects the starlight of several young stellar objects buried within the dense cloud. The dust scatters the light in soft, muted tones, often appearing golden or brownish in color due to the nature of the surrounding material. These intricate dust structures are part of a dark molecular cloud known as LDN 1177, an active region of low-mass star formation.

NGC 7538 is a striking emission and reflection nebula located approximately 9,100 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. Nestled within a vast star-forming region, NGC 7538 is home to some of the largest known protostars in the Milky Way. The nebula glows brightly as ultraviolet radiation from young, massive stars excites surrounding hydrogen gas, causing it to emit light—a hallmark trait of emission nebulae.

In addition to its brilliant red glow from ionized hydrogen, NGC 7538 also contains regions of reflection nebulae, where starlight scatters off dust particles, contributing soft blue tones to its complex palette. This mix of glowing gas and reflecting dust creates intricate filaments and dark lanes that highlight processes shaping the stellar nursery within.

NGC 7023 – The Iris Nebula is a reflection nebula located approximately 1,300 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. Unlike emission nebulae, which glow due to ionized gas, the Iris Nebula shines primarily by reflecting the light of a bright, hot central star, HD 200775. This young, massive star illuminates the surrounding clouds of dust and gas, creating a stunning blue hue that is characteristic of reflection nebulae.

The nebula’s structure consists of interwoven filaments of cosmic dust and gas, which scatter and diffuse the starlight, giving it a soft glow. Dark lanes of dense dust weave through the illuminated regions, adding contrast and depth to its appearance. These dust clouds are part of a larger molecular cloud complex, providing an environment for future star formation.