The California Nebula (also known as NGC 1499 or Sh2-220) is an emission nebula located in the constellation Perseus.
Its name stems from its striking resemblance to the outline of the US State of California when captured in long-exposure photographs.
This celestial wonder stretches across the sky for nearly 2.5 degrees, making it quite extensive. However, due to its very low surface brightness, it is extremely challenging to observe visually 1.
NGC 1499 was discovered in the 1880s by American astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard and it lies approximately 1,000 light-years away from Earth.
This image resulted from 49 hours of integration time using a f2 aperture, combining dual narrow-band and RGB data.
The framing was chosen to emphasize the dark nebula LDN1473 but it’s not the most usual one.
In my opinion, the star 45 eps Per (the bright star on the right) adds balance and depth to the final composition.
Equipment
Imaging Telescopes Or Lenses
Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM (Art)
Imaging Cameras
ZWO ASI294MM Pro
Mounts
ZWO AM5
Filters
Astronomik Deep-Sky Blue 36mm · Astronomik Deep-Sky Green 36mm · Astronomik Deep-Sky Red 36mm · Astronomik H-alpha CCD MaxFR 6nm 36 mm · Astronomik L-2 Luminance UV/IR Block 36mm · Astronomik OIII CCD MaxFR 6nm 36 mm
Accessories
Pegasus Astro USB Control Hub · Talon 6 · ZWO EAF · ZWO EFW 7 x 36mm
Software
Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight · Starkeeper Voyager Custom Array
Guiding Telescopes Or Lenses
ZWO 30mm Mini Guider Scope
Guiding Cameras
ZWO ASI290MM Mini
Acquisition details
Dates:
Oct. 11 – 12, 2023
Nov. 8 – 9, 2023
Nov. 13, 2023
Frames:
Astronomik Deep-Sky Blue 36mm: 100×60″(1h 40′)
Astronomik Deep-Sky Green 36mm: 100×60″(1h 40′)
Astronomik Deep-Sky Red 36mm: 100×60″(1h 40′)
Astronomik H-alpha CCD MaxFR 6nm 36 mm: 120×600″(20h)
Astronomik OIII CCD MaxFR 6nm 36 mm: 120×600″(20h)
Integration:
45h
Avg. Moon age:
20.98 days
Avg. Moon phase:
10.26%
RA center: 04h03m13s.9
DEC center: +36°15′57″
Pixel scale: 10.865 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: 90.292 degrees
Field radius: 4.770 degrees
WCS transformation: thin plate spline
Resolution: 2577×1830
File size: 8.2 MB
Locations: AAS Montsec, Àger, Lleida, Spain
Data source: Own remote observatory
Remote source: Non-commercial independent facility
via Flickr https://flic.kr/p/2pGc2Wh