The North America Nebula

The North America Nebula is a huge hydrogen cloud in Cygnus, about 1600 to 1800 light years from Earth. Although spanning nearly 2 degrees of sky, the cloud cannot be seen without optical aid due to a very low surface brightness. The characteristic shape of the nebula, particularly in the 'Gulf of Mexico' portion of the cloud, is due to a complex of dust between Earth and the glowing gas, which blocks the light behind. The red light which creates the glow is due to the ionization of the hydrogen gas and is caused by the radiation of a nearby star. While not at all certain, it may be that Deneb, the bright star in the tail of Cynus is that star. A region of star formation, the nebula is host to at least three open clusters of young stars. The fainter nebulosity just to the 'east' of 'Florida' is actually a part of the same cloud, although it has a separate name (The Pelican Nebula). It only appears to be separate because of the obscuring dust lane lying between the two.

Image taken with the ST-8 and the 135mm F:2.8 Nikkor lens over several nights in early November, 2009. Total exposure is 90 minutes.