Emission nebula
The California Nebula
Also NGC 1499 · Sh 2-220
A long glowing cloud of hydrogen in Perseus shaped like the state of California.
Measured
- Distance
- about 1,334 light-years (published estimates 1,140–1,460)
- Size
- about 56 light-years across (approximate)
- Constellation
- Perseus
- Position (J2000)
- RA 4h 03m 18s, Dec +36.42°
How far, from the Sun
About 1,330 light-years. To cross it:
- Light1,330 years
- Voyager 1's speed23.7 million years
- Driving at 100 km/h14.4 billion years
Voyager 1 at the speed it moved outward over the year to 2026-10-25 (JPL Horizons). Driving: nonstop, never refuelling.
Facts
- It is most likely lit by the hot blue star Xi Persei.
- It is about 2 degrees long, four times the width of the full Moon, but very faint.
How it was found
- E. E. Barnard discovered it in 1885.
Where this comes from
- Gaia DR3 parallax of its exciting star Xi Persei, 2.4457 ± 0.2616 mas (409 pc) (Gaia Collaboration 2023, A&A 674, A1)
Every catalogue Ouranos draws is credited on the credits page.