Photometry and classification of stars around the reflection nebula NGC 7023 in Cepheus. II. Interstellar extinction and cloud distances

TL;DR

This study analyzes interstellar extinction and estimates cloud distances in a specific region around NGC 7023 using photometric data of 480 stars, revealing multiple dust clouds at different distances.

Contribution

It provides detailed extinction and distance measurements for stars near NGC 7023, identifying multiple dust clouds and their distribution in the area.

Findings

Two dust clouds at 282 pc and 715 pc identified.

Extinction varies across subareas, indicating complex dust distribution.

Some directions show continuous dust or additional clouds.

Abstract

Interstellar extinction is investigated in a 1.5 square degree area in the direction of the reflection nebula NGC 7023 at l = 104.1 deg, b = +14.2 deg. The study is based on photometric classification and the determination of interstellar extinctions and distances of 480 stars down to V = 16.5 mag from photometry in the Vilnius seven-color system published in Paper I (2008). The investigated area is divided into five smaller subareas with slightly different dependence of the extinction on distance. The distribution of reddened stars is in accordance with the presence of two dust clouds at 282 pc and 715 pc, however in some directions the dust distribution can be continuous or more clouds can be present.