California Nebula

The California Nebula (NGC1499) is an emission nebula in the constellation Perseus that is more then 2.5-degrees in size. The glow is produced by the recombination of electrons stripped away by the radiation of the hot O-class star Xi Persei, which is located at the top center edge of this image. The nebula is about 1000 light years away.

5nm Narrowband filters; H-alpha: O-III: S-II - 60: 60: 80 minutes x 10 minute subframe, Total= 3-hrs 20-minutes, binned 1x1. Takahashi Epsilon-180, SBIG STL-6303E CCD camera, Gemini G-11 EQ mount, ATMoB Clubhouse, Westford, MA, 22 October 2011.