NGC 7023, also known as the Iris Nebula, is a bright reflection nebula located in the constellation Cepheus. It's approximately 1,300 light-years away from Earth and spans about six light-years across. This nebula is illuminated by a young, hot star known as HD 200775, whose light reflects off the surrounding clouds of interstellar dust, giving the nebula its characteristic blue glow. 

The dense dust also absorbs some of the light, creating dark lanes that contrast with the bright, reflective areas. The nebula is a stellar nursery where new stars are forming, and the area contains complex molecules, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are thought to play a key role in the formation of stars and planets.

 It lies in a region rich with nebulae, but its combination of reflection and dark features makes it stand out against the background sky. NGC 7023 is a popular target for both amateur and professional astronomers due to its beauty and the insight it offers into star formation and the interstellar medium.