The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) is a stunning emission nebula and young open star cluster located in the constellation Cepheus, about 7,200 light-years away. Its nickname comes from its striking resemblance to the figure of a robed wizard in astrophotographs.
Taken with
- Skywatcher Explorer 200/1000
- Touptek 183 CA
- On Skywatcher EQ 5 Pro Mount
- Guide scope TS Optics 50/90
- Guide Camera Touptek 327C
- Sequencer NINA Advanced Sequencer.
- Guiding with PHD2
- Exposures 20 x 600 secs
- Stacking 13 Frames in ASTAP
- Streach and Beackground removeal with Siril & GraXpert
- Final Touch GIMP
The nebula is a region of active star formation, where powerful stellar winds and radiation from newly formed massive stars sculpt dramatic shapes in the surrounding interstellar gas and dust. Glowing clouds of hydrogen gas give it a bright reddish appearance in narrowband imaging (Hα), while oxygen emissions add striking blue-green highlights.
The Wizard Nebula spans about 100 light-years across, making it a large and detailed target for astrophotographers. With its complex structures, dark dust lanes, and colorful emission regions, it remains a favorite deep-sky object for both visual observers and imagers alike.
