Wizard Nebula

Designation: Sh2-142
Hemisphere: Northern
Constellation: Cepheus
Distance: 7,000 light years
Object type: Emission nebula

Description

This magic cosmic cloud shaped like a magician in a pointed hat is a large emission nebula composed mainly of ionised hydrogen, from which new stars have formed. In fact, embedded in this H II region is the star cluster NGC 7380 whose stars emerged in the last 5 million years or so, making it a relatively young cluster.

Both the cluster and the nebula lie about 7,000 light-years from Earth within the Milky Way Galaxy, in the constellation Cepheus. The star cluster spans around 20 light years across whereas the nebula spans some 110 light-years.

Equipment

Mount: ZWO AM5
Main Telescope: Askar 107PHQ
Main camera: ZWO ASI294MC-Pro
Main camera filter: Optolong L-Ultimate 3nm
Guiding: Askar OAG
Guide camera: ZWO ASI220MM-Mini

Acquisition details

Total integration time: 7 hours 10 minutes
Acquisition: ZWO AsiAir Plus
Processing: PixInsight
Location: Luxembourg