NGC 1499 (California Nebula)

Located 15 degrees south of the galactic equator, the California Nebula (so named because its outline resembles that of the state of California, with the "Pacific Coast" on its N edge) is embedded in a rich starfield. The bright star SW of the center is Xi Persei. Its strong ultraviolet radiation is believed to excite the nebula's bright Ha emission.   The image is a mosaic assembled from four exposures using the same technique developed for the Milky Way panorama.

Instrument	:	8" Newtonian 800 mm f/4
Film	:	Kodak E-200
Date	:	31 Dec. 1999, 02:04 - 05:38 UTC (four 45 min exposures)
Site	:	Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona