Nestled 1,300 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus, NGC 7023, also known as the Iris Nebula, is a striking example of a reflection nebula. Illuminated by a hot, young star at its center, the surrounding interstellar dust scatters the starlight, producing the soft blue glow seen in this image. The intricate network of dark tendrils, shaped by magnetic fields and turbulent motion, testifies to the dynamic nature of the interstellar medium.

Captured in June 2025 by the Game Shark Collective, John Poole, Jeff Newgard, Derek Morf, and Stefan Pommerin—this deep image reveals not just the core of the Iris but also the vast, faint molecular dust clouds that envelop it. With exceptional detail and contrast, the nebula appears to bloom from within a cocoon of cosmic smoke, highlighting the complex interplay between light and matter in star-forming regions.