NGC 1499 is an emission nebula in Perseus, about 1000 light-years distant, roughly resembling the American State. Many emission nebulae are dominated by hydrogen alpha, which correlates to a deep red in the visible light spectrum. Often present is also Oxygen III, which is blue-green, creating the pinkish hues we see in nebulae. NGC 1499 hardly has Oxygen III, though, yet it is quite pink. This is due to its stronger emission in the hydrogen beta line, which is also blue-green in hue.
