California Nebula NGC 1499

The California Nebula (NGC 1499/Sh2-220) is an emission nebula located in the constellation Perseus. Its name comes from its resemblance to the outline of the US State of California.

At almost 2.5° long on the sky it is a large object from Earth's point of view. Due to it's very low surface brightness, it is extremely difficult to observe visually. It is a distance of about 1,000 light years from Earth.

By coincidence, the California Nebula transits in the zenith in central California as the latitude matches the declination of the object.