Monoceros: California Dreamin'

The California Nebula is a large swathe of emission nebula cut through a dark constellation just to the edge of the Milkyway galactic plane. The gas in the nebula is excited by the adjacent star Xi Persei which is over 12,000 times brighter than our sun. The nebulosity appears swept and sculpted into waves and ripples, a wave 60 light years in length and 1,500 light years from here. The surrounding area is filled with dark areas of dust.

Photographer: Ronan Hunt
Full Resolution: 4296x3222 pix, 2 Editions Jpeg
Image Credit: Ronan Hunt