North America and Pelican Nebulae
Elephant Trunk Nebula
The North America Nebula (NGC 7000 or Caldwell 20) is a reddish emission nebula (hydrogen alpha)
in the constellation Cygnus, close to the brightest star in the constellation, Deneb (Alpha Cygni).
The general shape of the nebula resembles that of the continent of North America, complete with a
prominent Gulf of Mexico area. This nebula is very large and covers an area of more than four times
the size of the full moon. However, it is very dim and normally cannot be seen with the unaided eye.
Even viewing this nebula through a good sized telescope is difficult without special filters. Its
prominent shape and reddish color only show in long exposure images of the area. NGC7000 is
close to the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070) which is also shown on the right side of this image. This is also
a hydrogen alpha emission nebula.
Between the Earth and these nebula lays a band of interstellar dust that absorbs the light of stars
and nebulae behind it. This dark nebula is what actually forms the shape of both NGC7000 and
IC5070 (i.e., the Gulf of Mexico area is actually a dark nebula). The distance to these nebulae is
uncertain. If the star inducing the emission is Deneb, as some sources believe, the nebula complex
would be about 1800 light years distance, and its absolute size would be 100 light years. The very
large number of stars seen in this image is typical of regions close to the Milky Way. A program I use
for aligning the images (10 x 6 min) counted over 10,000 stars.
in the constellation Cygnus, close to the brightest star in the constellation, Deneb (Alpha Cygni).
The general shape of the nebula resembles that of the continent of North America, complete with a
prominent Gulf of Mexico area. This nebula is very large and covers an area of more than four times
the size of the full moon. However, it is very dim and normally cannot be seen with the unaided eye.
Even viewing this nebula through a good sized telescope is difficult without special filters. Its
prominent shape and reddish color only show in long exposure images of the area. NGC7000 is
close to the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070) which is also shown on the right side of this image. This is also
a hydrogen alpha emission nebula.
Between the Earth and these nebula lays a band of interstellar dust that absorbs the light of stars
and nebulae behind it. This dark nebula is what actually forms the shape of both NGC7000 and
IC5070 (i.e., the Gulf of Mexico area is actually a dark nebula). The distance to these nebulae is
uncertain. If the star inducing the emission is Deneb, as some sources believe, the nebula complex
would be about 1800 light years distance, and its absolute size would be 100 light years. The very
large number of stars seen in this image is typical of regions close to the Milky Way. A program I use
for aligning the images (10 x 6 min) counted over 10,000 stars.
The image shown below is a wide field image of the North American nebula taken from
Anacortes, WA with the modified Canon XSi and an 85mm lens. The mount used was an
Astrotrac System. This image really shows the star density in this part of the Milky Way.
Really Amazing. The image if from 15 x 3 minute exposues at ISO 1600.
Anacortes, WA with the modified Canon XSi and an 85mm lens. The mount used was an
Astrotrac System. This image really shows the star density in this part of the Milky Way.
Really Amazing. The image if from 15 x 3 minute exposues at ISO 1600.
