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Wizard Nebula (NGC 7380)
emission nebula in Cepheus
The Wizard Nebula is a faint emission nebula in Cepheus surrounding a young open cluster, with dark lanes giving it a wizard-like shape. It is large but dim, and it rewards narrowband imaging.
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// Key facts
- Catalog
- NGC 7380
- Type
- emission nebula
- Constellation
- Cepheus
- Size
- 25′ across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 7.2
- Distance
- about 7,200 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Sep
- Typical prime months
- Jun to Nov
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Filter
- Narrowband: Ha / OIII / SII, or a dual-band / UHC filter
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How to image Wizard Nebula
- Ha, OIII and SII narrowband give the best results.
- At 25 arcminutes, use 600 to 1,000 mm.
- Cepheus is high in the sky from northern latitudes through autumn.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which NGC 7380 spans about 60% of the long side of the sensor, leaving room around it. Treat it as a starting point; the right framing is a matter of taste.
| Sensor | Focal length |
|---|---|
| 1-inch sensor (13.2 mm) | about 1090 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 1940 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 2970 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point NGC 7380 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.
| Latitude | Highest point | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 55°N (Scotland, Alaska) | 87° | High in the sky |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | 77° | High in the sky |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | 67° | High in the sky |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 57° | Workable |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | below horizon | Never rises |
Also worth imaging
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