Wizard Nebula - Lost Photons Gallery

The 2020 Wizard Nebula frame, preserved as an older revision beside the later 2022 version.

This frame remains part of the Lost Photons archive.

What am I looking at?: The Wizard Nebula is a star-forming region whose loops of gas suggest a wizard's profile.
How far away is it?: About 7,200 light-years away.
Where is it in the sky?: In Cepheus, near the northern Milky Way.
Why does it matter?: A rewarding narrowband object with intricate structure that benefits from long exposures.
When is the best time to photograph it?: Late summer through autumn when Cepheus is well placed.

Capture Data

Capture summary

Catalog NGC 7380

Nebula in Cepheus

Exposure Ha, OIII, SII

Narrowband

Filters Optolong L-Pro 2

Ha, OIII, SII

Frame 2020

Autumn target / wide composition

Exposure Breakdown Ha, OIII, SII

Optolong L-Pro 2 3h 20m 40 x 300s

Same target, different years.

Older revisions stay in the archive so you can see how the target changed with different equipment, processing, and experience.

Left year Right year

Wizard Nebula 2020 — 2020 **Wizard Nebula** *Currently viewing*

Wizard Nebula 2022 — 2022 **Wizard Nebula** *Compare revision*

2022 Wizard Nebula Open revision

2020 Wizard Nebula Currently viewing

2020 Wizard Nebula July 2020 revision

Target Planner

When to image this target

Nebula in Cepheus; best planned for September through November from New Jersey.

Best season September through November

Autumn is a strong window for Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and late Cygnus fields.

Good from NJ Late summer through autumn evenings

Assumes a New Jersey backyard horizon and evening imaging.

Object type Nebula

Emission nebulae are good candidates for narrowband filters; reflection nebulae prefer darker skies.

Constellation Cepheus

NGC 7380 is listed here in Cepheus.

Moon tolerance Narrowband can tolerate some moonlight.

Current frame: Narrowband / Ha, OIII, SII.

Open full planner View on sky map

Live altitude, moon, and filter guidance

Planning from Sewell, NJ

Calculating target altitude and moon context.

Check your location Enter ZIP in planner

Use the full planner to enter a ZIP code, choose a date, and compare the target from your sky.

Planning values are approximate and update in your browser.

Planning site Sewell, NJ 39.7700, -75.1400

Current altitude ...

Based on the current time.

Green marks usable dark-sky altitude.

Next transit ...

Next upper transit.

Rise / set ...

Approximate horizon crossing.

Moon now ...

Moon phase and altitude.

Processing

Acquisition & processing notes

Filter channels, integration times, and capture dates for this frame. View on AstroBin.

Optolong L-Pro 2 40 x 300s, 3h 20m