Iris Nebula: This wonderful reflection nebula, blooming like a flower, lies in a distance of approx. 1300 LY in the summer constellation of Cepheus east of Cygnus or the Swan. The nebula is formed by the strong visible and ultraviolet radiation of a massive young star in the center of the nebula, which is just emerging from the dense dust and hydrogen clouds. A smaller amount is transformed into red light by the hydrogen gas yielding a brownish tint to the sourrounding dust clouds.