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Object: NGC 7000 - The North American Nebula (4 Panel Mosaic)
Date: Aug. 2024 & Sept. 2025 - Telescope: Officina Stellare f/3 RH200-AT - Camera: QSI-640
Click on the image below to view at higher resolution. |
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The North America Nebula (NGC 7000) takes its name from its resemblance to the continent of North America. This vast emission nebula lies in the constellation Cygnus the Swan, at an estimated distance of about 2900 light-years[1] from Earth. In the lower left of the image is a dramatic ridge of dust, gas, and towering columns known as the Cygnus Wall[2]. This feature outlines the "Mexico and Central America" region of the nebula and is an active site of star formation[1]. Many young stars remain hidden within the dense molecular clouds and are invisible in optical light, though they can be revealed in the infrared. To the right of NGC 7000 lies the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070), another region of intense star formation. The Pelican Nebula is part of the same molecular cloud complex as NGC 7000, and its intricate network of dark dust lanes and glowing gas is shaped by massive young stars embedded within[2,3]. Recent research indicates that the primary source of ionizing radiation illuminating NGC 7000 is a massive O-type star hidden behind thick dust clouds. This star (2MASS J205551.25+435224.6)[4] powers much of the nebula's glow and contributes to ongoing star formation in both the Cygnus Wall and the Pelican Nebula[4].
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The image above is known as a mapped, or false, color image and was acquired using narrowband filters. It was assembled using the standard Hubble palette with SII mapped to Red, Ha mapped to Green and OIII mapped to Blue. Stars were overlaid using broadband RGB data to preserve natural star color and detail. A near true color version of the North American Nebula may be view here. This image was compiled from a 4-panel mosaic captured with an Officina Stellare (f/3) RH200-AT astrograph. The camera used was a QSI 640 with a Kodak KAF-8300 CCD.
Member of the Dark Sky Observatory Collaborative
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