The North America and Pelican nebulae: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

This pair of glowing hydrogen clouds make up one of the most recognizable vistas in the northern sky.
By | Published: July 15, 2024
Two glowing, red-magenta clouds of hydrogen gas — emission nebulae — lie in the frame. On the left lies the North America Nebulae (NGC 7000), appearing in the shape of the North American continent. On the right is the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070), appearing like the head of a pelican seen in profile.
The North America Nebula (NGC 7000) and the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070) are two of the most-photographed emission nebulae in the sky. Credit: Ron Brecher

This week, Dave explores the North America Nebula (NGC 7000) and the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070). This pair of objects in Cygnus, split by a dark lane of dust, are two of the most beloved and recognizable emission nebulae in the night sky. Lying about 2,600 light-years away, they are high in the northern summertime sky and make a perfect target for binoculars or a Celestron telescope. Some say the North America Nebula (the brighter of the two) is visible even to the naked eye under a very dark and transparent sky.

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