The Wizard Nebula surrounds the developing open star cluster NGC 7380, which is estimated to be between 2 and 4 million years old.  NGC7380 contains about 125 bright type O and B stars near the center of this image.  The "Wizard" is formed by the red emission nebula Sh2-142 and is part of the larger H-II region illuminated by these stars. Visually, the interplay of stars, gas, and dust has created deep etchings in the gas from which the stars originally formed. The active star forming region spans about 100 light years. Although the nebula may last only a few million years, some of the stars being formed may outlive our Sun. This complex resides at a distance of 9.700 light-years from Earth.  Magnitude is 7.2 with a size of 20 x 20 arc minutes. 

IMAGE DETAILS:

• Date & Location:  September  8/9, 2013  - StarEffects Observatory, Bernville, PA

• Weather:  Calm, Average temperature of 48F

• Sky Conditions:  Patchy thin Cirrus at start with average transparency - clear last hour with above average transparency.

• SQM-L:  20:40 start - 20:63 end.

• Optics:  TeleVue NP101is Refractor 540mm @ f5.4 no Field Flattener used

• Filter:  CLS-CCD Astronomic DSLR clip in  (Light Pollution Suppression)

• Mount:  AP900GTO

• Guiding:  Orion SSAG @ 5 second exposures w/TeleVue TV60is

• Camera:  Canon T1i (500D) Hap Griffin Modified - Baader UV/IR

• Exposure:  225 min (25 x 9minute subs = 3hrs-45min total) @ ISO 800 RAW using Custom White Balance

• Calibration Frames:  16-10min Darks, 16 Bias, 12 Field Flats w/Alnitak Flat Man - All Custom White Balance

• Processing:  Images Plus 4.50b, PS CS6, NIK filters

• Comments:  This is a much needed re-do of an image I took 3 years ago which is shown below in an inverted form that is known as the "Flying Horse Nebula" in this configuration.  I was never really happy with that old image (for obvious reasons), and I must say that I find the "Wizard" much more intriguing!