IC 5070 - Pelican Nebula

The Pelican Nebula (IC 5070) is an extensive emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, located adjacent to the North America Nebula. Both objects are part of a large hydrogen cloud along the plane of the Milky Way and lie approximately 1,800 to 2,000 light-years from Earth. The nebula spans about 15 light-years across its main region and up to roughly 40 light-years including its fainter outer areas.

The Pelican Nebula gets its name from its distinctive shape, which resembles the head and long beak of a pelican. Dark dust lanes weave through the glowing gas, creating striking contrasts, while the intense ultraviolet radiation from young, hot stars ionizes the hydrogen and causes it to glow.

New stars continue to form within the nebula. Stellar winds and radiation pressure shape delicate gas structures, pillars, and cavities, giving the nebula its striking appearance. Narrowband imaging is therefore used to reveal the fine details of the nebula

Shooting Data