Adam Block's Latest View of the Universe:
NGC 1499 (California Nebula
released 01/07/2021

Previous Release
It was a treat to capture this nebula. I have been taking pictures of the Universe for 30 years... and this is likely the most famous object I have not worked on...until today! As a straight RGB image  this nearly monochromatic object is a challenge to make compelling (Narrowband images do this much better.) What is neat is that the H-beta (bluish) emission of this nebula makes it decidedly hot pink as opposed to the more common red H-alpha glow. 

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  • Optics                                          Pomenis Astrograph  (Takahashi E-180 - Epsilon f/2.8 180mm ED)
  • Camera                                        Apogee Alta F9000-  12um,  3056x3056 pixels
  • Filters                                           AstroDon Gen II
  • Date                                             2019
  • Location                                      Mount Lemmon SkyCenter
  • Exposures                                   RGB =    6 :  6 :  6  Hours  
  • Acquisition                                  MYT Paramount, TheSKyX, ACP (DC3 Dreams), Maxim DL (Cyanogen), Alnitak Flatman XL
  • Processing                                  Pixinsight 
  • Credit Line & Copyright            Adam Block/Steward Observatory/University of Arizona