| NGC 7380 | |
|---|---|
 NGC 7380 in classic Hubble Palette (Ha/OIII/SII) by amateur astronomer Chuck Ayoub | |
| Observation data (J2000.0epoch) | |
| Right ascension | 22h 47m 21.0s[1] |
| Declination | +58° 07′ 54″[1] |
| Distance | 8.5 ± 1.3 kly (2.6 ± 0.4 kpc)[2] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 7.2 |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 25′ |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | ~20 ly (6 pc) |
| Estimated age | 4[2] to 11.9 Myr[1] |
| Other designations | NGC 7380,[3] Sh2-142,Cr 452 |
| Associations | |
| Constellation | Cepheus |
| See also:Open cluster,List of open clusters | |
NGC 7380 is a young[4]open cluster of stars in the northerncircumpolar constellation ofCepheus, discovered byCaroline Herschel in 1787. The surrounding emission nebulosity is known colloquially as theWizard Nebula, which spans an angle of25′. German-born astronomerWilliam Herschel included his sister's discovery in his catalog, and labelled it H VIII.77. The nebula is known as S 142 in the 1959Sharpless catalog (Sh2-142).[2] It is extremely difficult to observe visually, usually requiring very dark skies and an O-III filter. The NGC 7380 complex is located at a distance of approximately 8.5kilolight-years from theSun, in thePerseus Arm of theMilky Way.[2]
The cluster spans ~20 light-years (6 pc) with an elongated shape and an extended tail.[2] Age estimates range from 4[2] to 11.9[1] million years. At the center of the cluster liesDH Cephei, a close, double-linedspectroscopic binary system consisting of two massiveO-type stars. This pair are the primary ionizing source for the surroundingH II region, and are driving out the surrounding gas and dust while triggering star formation in the neighboring region.[4] Of thevariable stars that have been identified in the cluster, 14 have been identified aspre-main sequence stars while 17 aremain sequence stars that are primarily B-type variables.[4]
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