Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380)

Object Type: Emission Nebula
Top image - AP 5" Refractor, 180 min; Lower image - AP 5" Refractor, 90 min.

NGC 7380, the Wizard Nebula (Sh2-142), is an open star cluster wrapped in a large emission nebula in Cepheus, about 7,200 light-years away. It was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787; her brother William added it to his catalogue. The young cluster's hot stars light and sculpt the surrounding gas into a shape suggesting a robed wizard. The nebula is a challenging visual target, usually needing dark skies and an O-III filter, but photographs bring out its full form.