Object Analysis

The Pelican Nebula (IC 5070) is an H II region associated with the North America Nebula in the constellation Cygnus. It is located about 1,800 light-years away. The two nebulae are actually parts of the same large interstellar cloud of ionized hydrogen, separated by a dark absorption lane of dust.

The nebula resembles a pelican because of a dark dust lane that forms the "beak" and the "eye," while bright ionized gas forms the curved neck and head. This region is a particularly active mix of star formation and evolving gas clouds.

The most prominent feature is the ionization front, a ridge of dense gas that is being eaten away by radiation from nearby stars. Within this front, you can see Herbig-Haro objects—jets of gas ejected by protostars that act as signposts for new star birth.