by Craig and Tammy Temple
The Wizard Nebula is a large, diffuse HII region in Cepheus associated with the star cluster NGC7380. It is ionized by the binary star DH Cephei. Stewart Sharpless cataloged this as object 142 in his 1959 catalog. This image is a composite of 6 hours of RGB color data combined with 3 hours of Hydrogen-Alpha data.
Telescope: Astro Tech AT8IN 8” f/4 Newtonian
Accessories: Baader MPCC
Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD
Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66
Camera: Self-modified Canon Digital Rebel XT
Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.75 Camera Control
RGB Color Data:
Filter(s): Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip
Exposure: 120 x 180s @ ISO 1600 (6hr.)
Date(s): November 11 & 12, 2009
Temperature(s): 53ºF (dropped to 48ºF) & 50ºF (dropped to 44ºF)
SQM reading (begin - end): 19.10 – 19.03 (N1) & 18.92 – 18.87 (N2) mags./sq. Arcsec
Hydrogen-Alpha Data:
Filter(s): Astronomik 6nm H-Alpha EOS Clip
Exposure: 18 x 600s @ ISO 1600 (3hr.)
Date(s): November 5, 2009
Temperature(s): 46ºF (dropped to 36ºF)
SQM reading (begin - end): 18.61 – 18.07 mags./sq. Arcsec