C20 — North America Nebula
Emission Nebula in Cygnus
About
An emission nebula in Cygnus near Deneb, named for its resemblance to North America, about 2,590 light-years away. Its hydrogen is lit by a hot O-type star hidden behind the dark cloud L935, dimmed by nearly ten magnitudes.
Imaging tips
- At 200–340 mm on APS-C it fits in the frame with room to spare (about 120′ by 100′); the Pelican Nebula, part of the same cloud, is usually shot with it at roughly 300 mm or less.
- Low surface brightness over a huge area: Hα or a dual-band filter brings out the shape far better than broadband.
- About 3.5 hours through a narrowband light-pollution filter from a city sky was enough for one published image of it.
- Best in July and August, when Cygnus is high; B352 lies nearby, in a wider field.
Facts
- Size
- 120′ × 100′
- Magnitude
- —
- Coordinates
- RA 20h 58.0m, Dec +44° 32′
- Framing, APS-C
- 200–340 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 310–520 mm
- Best months
- Jul, Aug
- Peak altitude
- 85° from 50°N, 81° from 35°N
Nearby
- B352 · 81.5′ away