California Nebula (NGC 1499)
This is the California Nebula, NGC1499. It's in Perseus, between it an Auriga and Taurus. The name comes from the fact that it vaguely resembles the shape of the state of California, with the North being to the right.
This is a mosaic of 30 x 4min = 2 hours total imaging time. It's been a challenge to process due to some light gradients; I shot the last couple sections of it as it was getting too low in the sky. It has some gradient challenges. I think it's better than the old film image, though, below. Takahashi TOA 130 (a 5" APO refractor) and Canon EOS D20a. My current image processing workflow is here.
It is a fun (challenging) object to shoot because you can't see it in the scope (it's really a photographic-only object). As you can see, I was able to get it framed and exposed properly. Film Image: Photo by Dick Locke Wimberly, TX, at the Starry Nights Bed and Breakfast January 3, 2003 45 minute guided exposure Tak FS-102 prime focus with reducer at 610mm focal length, f5.9 SBIG STV autoguider using Celestron ST-80 guidescope Losmandy GM-11 mount Kodak LE 400 film, OM1n camera Negative Scan, Nikon Coolscan IV ED, Processed in Photoshop
Copyright © 2003-2006, Dick Locke. All Rights Reserved.
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