California Nebula

NGC 1499 is the name of a gaseous nebula in the constellation Perseus. NGC 1499 is located 36 ' north of ξ Persei and is also called California Nebula because of its shape.

Discovery

The California Nebula was discovered around 1884 by the American astronomer Edward Barnard. And was shortly afterwards by Dreyer in his 1888 published New General Catalogue added.

Astronomical significance

The nebula is 1,000 light years from us the closest HII region, a region of star formation. The cloud is probably excited by the star ξ Persei the nearby glow.

Because of its low surface brightness, the shape of the nebula can be seen only in long -exposure photographs. With the naked eye it can be perceived only in very dark nights.

Declination Distance Light-year Minute of arc Perseus (constellation) Xi Persei Edward Emerson Barnard H II region List of diffuse nebulae List of NGC objects NGC 1483 NGC 1502 NGC 1512 NGC 1514
257625
de