NGC 7822 is a sprawling star-forming complex in northern Cepheus, encompassing the bright emission nebula Sharpless 2-171 and the young open cluster Berkeley 59. Intense ultraviolet radiation and stellar winds from massive, newborn stars—most notably the hot O-type star BD+66°1673—sculpt pillars and dark dust lanes throughout the region. Most notable are the "Pillars of Creation" visible near the upper-center.

Located roughly 3,000 light-years away, NGC 7822 spans on the order of 80–100 light-years, giving it a wide apparent extent in deep images. Visually it is challenging from most sites and benefits greatly from dark skies and narrowband filters. Aim a small telescope toward the King of Aethiopia (Cepheus) to find the complex.

Total image time was 6 hours.