The emission nebula NGC 1499 in the constellation Perseus is known as the California Nebula because it resembles outline of the US State of California in long exposure photographs . It resides some 1000 light years away towards the outer (Orion) arm of our galaxy. The glowing portion of the nebula is around 100 light years in extent. However, this entire region is filled with galactic gas from which many massive and luminous stars have formed. This family of young and bright stars in this spiral arm of our galaxy is called the Perseus OB2 association. The bright star to the right of the nebula in this image is Zeta Persei. It is both a member of the Perseus OB2 group and it is probably responsible to making the California nebula glow.
