SUNSET: 
0
Photographer:
Bruce Waddington
Location of Photo:
SkyPi Remote Observatory, New Mexico
Date/Time of photo:
4 nights ending on 12/01/2024
Equipment:
12.5" Planewave scope with QSI-640ws camera
Description:
NGC 7380 is an open cluster in Cepheus, bordered by the well-known "wizard" emission nebula. The hot young stars formed less than 5M years ago and have since ionized the surrounding hydrogen gas. Their stellar winds have created a void in the surrounding dust and gas and have shaped many of the complex structures seen in the adjacent wizard nebula. The nebula clearing process creates density fluctuations that trigger new star formation. 14 variable stars in this area have been identified as pre-main sequence, meaning they have not yet reached their future state as stable, hydrogen-burning stars.
