The Wizard Nebula is a sprawling emission nebula in Cepheus that makes a rewarding target for narrowband astrophotography. Its intricate pillars and dark dust lanes emit strongly in hydrogen-alpha, sulfur, and oxygen, making it an ideal candidate for the Hubble palette. Because its surface brightness is spread across a wide field, long integration times under dark skies help reveal the faint outer tendrils of gas. A medium to long focal length captures the sculpted central structure, while wider setups frame the full glowing expanse against the rich star fields of the Milky Way.
Names, key data and data sources
All values come from the astronomical database SIMBAD (CDS Strasbourg). Tap a row to see where the value comes from.
NamesWizard NebulaAstrocamp
Catalogue numbersSh2-142 (Sharpless 142) · LBN 511Primary designation: Sh2-142SIMBAD
TypeEmission NebulaSIMBAD
ConstellationCepheus (Cep)computed
Position (J2000)RA 22h 47m 32s · Dec +58° 02′ 54″SIMBAD
Galactic coordinatesl = 107.1° · b = −1.0°Position relative to the Milky Way plane: 1° south of itcomputed
Distance11,000 light-years3.5 kpcSIMBAD
Sources and methods (7)
- Names: Names from the Astrocamp object database.
- Catalogue numbers: All identifiers under which SIMBAD lists the object; order according to the Astrocamp catalogue rule.
- Type: Entry in SIMBAD, object type “HII”. Value since Jun 25, 2026 · last confirmed with SIMBAD Oct 20, 2026
- Constellation: Computed from the position (IAU constellation boundaries). Value since Jun 25, 2026 · last confirmed with SIMBAD Oct 20, 2026
- Position (J2000): Entry in SIMBAD, quality E (SIMBAD scale A–E). Value since Jun 25, 2026 · last confirmed with SIMBAD Oct 20, 2026
- Galactic coordinates: Converted from the position (IAU 1958 galactic system). Value since Jun 25, 2026 · last confirmed with SIMBAD Oct 20, 2026
- Distance: One published measurement (methods: kin 1), rounded according to the scatter, error ± 780 light-years. Publication: 2015AJ....150..147F (NASA ADS). Value since Jun 25, 2026 · last confirmed with SIMBAD Oct 20, 2026
Checked against SIMBAD on Oct 20, 2026 · Open Sh2-142 in SIMBAD
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
The Wizard Nebula sits at a right ascension of 22h 47m and a declination of +58°, high in the northern constellation Cepheus near the border of the summer Milky Way. From mid-northern latitudes it is circumpolar or nearly so, allowing imaging across many months of the year. The surrounding region is dense with faint nebulosity and scattered star clusters, offering a textured backdrop that rewards wide-field mosaics. Its northern placement makes it especially convenient for astrophotographers in the northern hemisphere who can chase it for long stretches of a single night.
Click marks an object (its path tonight) · click again for its constellation, once more to zoom to its field · click a frame to see it, again to zoom · its name shows details · click outside zooms out · drag to pan
Nice to Know
- The Wizard Nebula owes its evocative name to its sculpted columns of gas, which many imagers see as resembling a cloaked figure or wizard.
- It is catalogued as both LBN 511 and Sh2-142, designations frequently used when planning narrowband acquisition sessions.
- Lying about 11,000 light-years away, its faint structure demands patient, long-exposure imaging to bring out full detail.
- The nebula responds exceptionally well to the Hubble palette, with strong hydrogen-alpha, sulfur, and oxygen emission producing striking color contrast.
