vdB 123¹, as designated in the van den Bergh catalog², is a blue reflection nebula⁷ located in the constellation Serpens approximately 800 light years (230 +/- 20 parsecs)³ from the Earth. This colorful nebula is embedded in a large cloud of dust and gas known as the Serpens Cloud³. This cloud overlays a rich field of background Milky Way stars. These background stars appear to be heavily "reddened" by the cloud's intervening dust. A large dark nebula extending throughout the region is cataloged Dobashi 1260^5,6. These areas of dense dust obscures background stars and other celestial objects. The bright blue central nebula shines from light reflected from the bright star designed HD 170634¹. The blue color is a result of the surrounding dust reflecting the shorter wavelengths of light more efficiently than longer wavelengths. This is essentially the same phenomena that makes our Earthly sky appear blue.

Serpens Reflection Nebula

Just to the right of the blue vdB nebula is a red/orange bi-polar nebula known as the Serpens Reflection Nebula. (SNR)⁴ It is being illuminated by the relative low mass star designated Serpens/SVS 2⁴. The nebula's outflow appears to be heavily influenced by embedded magnetic fields. This may have triggered the bi-polar shape of the nebula.