This is a three-image mosaic of the California Nebula (also known as NGC 1499 and Sh2-220), an emission nebula named for its resemblance to the outline of California. It's large (almost 2.5° long) but extremely faint. It's illuminated by the ~4 magnitude blue giant star Menkib (seen in the lower center of the photograph).

Also appeared at http://www.astronomy.com/photos/picture-of-day  December 18, 2014

Technical Information       

Date:                       November, 2014

Location:                 Green Valley, Arizona

Telescope:              Takahashi FSQ-106EDX

Camera:                  SBIG STT-8300M

Filters:                     Astrodon Gen 2

Mount:                     AstroPhysics 1200

Exposure:                HaRGB = 9:3:3:3 hours, all unbinned

Software:                 Acquisition: Maxim DL 5, TheSkyX, Pinpoint, CCD Commander

                                Processing: CCDStack, PhotoShop CS6 with various plugins