California Nebula (NGC 1499)
My new rig using three 200mm lenses simultaneously is finally able to produce some images! Still working out several kinks in the process.
Spent 1.5 hours and gathered about 4.5 hours of light. The seeing was not very good, clouds rolled in but this is a large object and very happy to see this starting to come to life.
"The California Nebula is an emission nebula located in the constellation Perseus. It is named for its resemblance to the shape of the state of California in the United States. Here is an overview of its key characteristics:
Distance and Size: The California Nebula is approximately 1,000 light-years away from Earth and spans around 100 light-years in length. It appears large in the sky, with an angular size of around 2.5 degrees, which is about five times the width of the full moon.
Composition and Color: The nebula is predominantly composed of hydrogen gas, and its striking red color is due to the ionization of hydrogen atoms. This ionization occurs when ultraviolet light from nearby stars excites the hydrogen gas, causing it to emit a characteristic red glow.
Exciting Star: The main source of ionization for the California Nebula is the bright, hot star Xi Persei (or Menkib), a massive O-type star. The ultraviolet radiation from this star plays a significant role in energizing the surrounding gas.
Visibility: Despite its large size, the California Nebula is relatively faint and difficult to observe with the naked eye. It is best viewed with long-exposure astrophotography or through wide-field telescopes equipped with hydrogen-alpha filters, which enhance the nebula's emission."
Nikon 70-200mm 200mm f/2.8
ZWO ASI533MM Mono Camera at -10C
58x60s lum
7x300s oiii
Askar ACL200: 200mm f/4
ZWO ASI533MC Color Camera at -10C
90x60s rgb
Askar ACL200: 200mm f/4
ZWO ASI533MM Mono Camera at -10C
11x300s sii, 9x300s ha
Guided on ZWO AM5
Captured with N.I.N.A. processed with PixInsight, Ps
California Nebula (NGC 1499)
My new rig using three 200mm lenses simultaneously is finally able to produce some images! Still working out several kinks in the process.
Spent 1.5 hours and gathered about 4.5 hours of light. The seeing was not very good, clouds rolled in but this is a large object and very happy to see this starting to come to life.
"The California Nebula is an emission nebula located in the constellation Perseus. It is named for its resemblance to the shape of the state of California in the United States. Here is an overview of its key characteristics:
Distance and Size: The California Nebula is approximately 1,000 light-years away from Earth and spans around 100 light-years in length. It appears large in the sky, with an angular size of around 2.5 degrees, which is about five times the width of the full moon.
Composition and Color: The nebula is predominantly composed of hydrogen gas, and its striking red color is due to the ionization of hydrogen atoms. This ionization occurs when ultraviolet light from nearby stars excites the hydrogen gas, causing it to emit a characteristic red glow.
Exciting Star: The main source of ionization for the California Nebula is the bright, hot star Xi Persei (or Menkib), a massive O-type star. The ultraviolet radiation from this star plays a significant role in energizing the surrounding gas.
Visibility: Despite its large size, the California Nebula is relatively faint and difficult to observe with the naked eye. It is best viewed with long-exposure astrophotography or through wide-field telescopes equipped with hydrogen-alpha filters, which enhance the nebula's emission."
Nikon 70-200mm 200mm f/2.8
ZWO ASI533MM Mono Camera at -10C
58x60s lum
7x300s oiii
Askar ACL200: 200mm f/4
ZWO ASI533MC Color Camera at -10C
90x60s rgb
Askar ACL200: 200mm f/4
ZWO ASI533MM Mono Camera at -10C
11x300s sii, 9x300s ha
Guided on ZWO AM5
Captured with N.I.N.A. processed with PixInsight, Ps