Van den Berg (VdB) 152 is an elongated molecular cloud 1,400 light years distant in the constellation of Cepheus. It is sufficiently dense in localized areas to block all light from stars from reaching us. In other areas, some stars shine through. Its reddish color is largely due to light scattering off dust particles within the cloud. This preferentially scatters light of shorter wavelengths and lets redder light through. The tip of the cloud near the center of the image is reflecting blue light from a nearly embedded star.
VdB 152
Telescope: 16″ f3.75 Dream Scope
Camera: FLI ML16803
Mount: ASA DDM85
Exposure: 56x5min L + 18x5min each for RGB
Acquisition: April – May 2017 – Processing: April 2021
Location: Southern Alps, France
Bart Delsaert - Astrophotography 