Emission nebula
The North America Nebula
Also NGC 7000 · Caldwell 20
A large glowing cloud of hydrogen whose outline resembles the continent of North America.
Measured
- Distance
- about 2,590 light-years (published estimates 2,510–2,670)
- Size
- about 90 light-years across (approximate)
- Constellation
- Cygnus
- Position (J2000)
- RA 20h 59m 17s, Dec +44.53°
How far, from the Sun
About 2,590 light-years. To cross it:
- Light2,590 years
- Voyager 1's speed46 million years
- Driving at 100 km/h28 billion years
Voyager 1 at the speed it moved outward over the year to 2026-10-25 (JPL Horizons). Driving: nonstop, never refuelling.
Facts
- A dark dust lane forms its 'Gulf of Mexico'.
- It spans about 2 degrees of sky, four times the width of the full Moon.
How it was found
- William Herschel discovered it in 1786.
Where this comes from
- Kuhn et al. 2020, Gaia DR2 (795 ± 25 pc)
Every catalogue Ouranos draws is credited on the credits page.