The California Nebula (NGC 1499, Sh2-220, LBN 756), located in the constellation Perseus, is an emission nebula that lies approximately 1,000 light years from Earth. This nebula was discovered around 1884-1885 by E.E. Barnard and got its name because it resembles the shape of the U.S. state of California. Although it has a low surface brightness and is difficult to observe visually, it bodes well to astrophotography.
Telescope: Stellarvue Raptor SVR105 @ f/7
Accessories: Stellarvue SFF7-21 flattener; Dew control by Dew Buster
Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD
Guiding: TS-OAG9 Off-axis, using a Starlight Xpress Lodestar via PHD
Camera: QHY9-C one-shot color CCD @ -20.0C
Acquisition: ImagesPlus 4.00 Camera Control
Hydrogen-Alpha Data:
Filters: Astronomik 6nm H-alpha
Exposure: 40 x 15min. (10hr.)
Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a – Calibrated, Averaged, DDP; registered in RegiStar
Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Carboni’s Tools
Date(s): November 9 & 10, 2010
RGB Data:
Filters: Astronomik CLS; Astronomik IR-block
Exposure: 119 x 4min. (7hr. 56min.)
Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a – Calibrated, Averaged, DDP; registered in RegiStar
Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; HLVG
Date(s): November 7 & 8, 2010