The Wizard Nebula and Star Cluster NGC 7380 in Cepheus
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The Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380) lies about 7,200 light-years away in the constellation of Cepheus. It is an active star-forming region, where the young stars of the central cluster sculpt the surrounding gas with stellar winds and ultraviolet radiation, creating spectacular shapes reminiscent of a wizard.
NGC 7380 is a young open cluster of stars in the northern circumpolar constellation of Cepheus, discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787. The surrounding emission nebulosity is known colloquially as the Wizard Nebula. German-born astronomer William Herschel included his sister's discovery in his catalog, and labelled it H VIII.77.
The cluster spans ~20 light-years (6 parsecs) with an elongated shape and an extended tail. Age estimates range from 4 to 11.9 million years. At the center of the cluster lies DH Cephei, a close, double-lined spectroscopic binary system consisting of two massive O-type stars. This pair are the primary ionizing source for the surrounding H II region, and are driving out the surrounding gas and dust while triggering star formation in the neighboring area. Of the variable stars that have been identified in the cluster, 14 have been identified as pre-main sequence stars, while 17 are main sequence stars that are primarily B-type variables.
39x600s G100 T-10°
(6h30m Total Integration Time)
Equipment:
Newton Skywatcher 254/1200
Skywatcher 0.86x Coma Corrector
Antlia ALP-T 5nm Dual Band Filter
Omegon veTEC571C Color
Touptek OAG X + ASI290MM Mini Guide Camera
Ioptron CEM70
Bortle 6 Sky
Release Date: Aug. 23, 2025
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