The California Nebula, NGC 1499 in Perseus.

This is NGC 1499, the California Nebula in Perseus. The California Nebula gets its name from its resemblance to the outline of the state, glowing brightly in rich hydrogen-alpha light. Located about 1,000 light-years away in the constellation Perseus, this large emission nebula spans roughly 100 light-years across. Its distinctive red glow comes from ionized hydrogen energized by the nearby hot, blue O-type star Xi Persei (Menkib), which floods the region with intense ultraviolet radiation.

Acquisition Details:
Date: Nov. 16, 2025
Scope: Meade 70mm Quad APO Astrograph
Camera: QHY183C
Mount: Celestron AVX
Guide Scope: ZWO H30 F4 Mini
Guide Camera: ASI120MM Mini
Filter: Optolong L-eXtreme
Integration: 135 x 120s (4 Hrs. 30 mins.)
Software: N.I.N.A., Stellarium, Deep Sky Stacker, SASpro, Adobe Photoshop