NGC 1499 - The California Nebula

This nebula, which received its name by its obvious "stately" shape, is located in the constellation Perseus, and is approximately 1,000 light years from the Earth and towards the outer arm of our galaxy. The glowing portion of this nebula measures some 100 light years across and contains mostly gas which many massive and luminous stars have formed. This nebula is also a well known example of an emission nebula that glows strongly both to H-alpha and H-beta emission. Another such object with similar characteristics is the Horsehead Nebula in the constellation Orion. The bright star to the lower right of the nebula is Zeta Persei.

Image Specifications:

     •  Instrument:  Canon 200mm f/2.8L @ f3.5
     •  Camera:  Canon 20Da
     •  Filters:  Hutech IDAS LPS (Light Pollution)
     •  Mount:  Losmandy GM-8 Equatorial
     •  Guiding:  SBIG STV Autoguider with Vixen 400mm Guidescope
     •  Time / Date :  November 24, 2006, 8:30PM EDT
     •  Location:  Coyle Field, NJ
     •  Weather:  Clear, 40degF
     •  Primary Exposure :  21 x 4min, ISO 1600, RAW, min-max excluded average combined
     •  Calibration Frames:  15 x 4min, ISO 1600, RAW, average combined
     •  Image Processing :  Images Plus, PixInsightLE, Photoshop CS2