The California Nebula (NGC 1499)

The California Nebula – NGC 1499 🌌🔥
Captured from my terrace over 5 nights — one of my most satisfying projects yet!

About the Target:
• Catalog Name: NGC 1499
• Constellation: Perseus ♈
• Distance from Earth: ~1,000 light-years
• Ionizing Star: Xi Persei (Menkhib) – an O-type giant star powering the nebula’s glow

Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro

Lens: Samyang 135mm f/2

Filter: L-Ultimate Pro 2”

Mount: SkyWatcher GTi

Guiding: ASI120MM + SVBONY SV165

Control: ASIAIR Plus

Exposure Time:

300s × 220 frames (narrowband)

50 × 180s with UV/IR Cut (for natural star colors)

Calibration Frames: Darks, Flats, Bias
Processing: Siril · GraXpert · Adobe Photoshop