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Pelican Nebula

Pelican Nebula
Emission nebula
H II region
Pelican nebula ic5070 ic5067.jpg
Pelican Nebula (IC5070 and IC5067)
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Right ascension 20h 50m 48.0s
Declination +44° 20′ 60.0"
Distance 1,800 ly
Apparent magnitude (V) 8.0
Apparent dimensions (V) 60' x 50'
Constellation Cygnus
Designations IC 5070 and IC 5067
See also: Lists of nebulae

The Pelican Nebula (also known as IC 5070 and IC 5067) is an H II region associated with the North America Nebula in the constellation Cygnus. The gaseous contortions of this emission nebula bear a resemblance to a pelican, giving rise to its name. The Pelican Nebula is located nearby first magnitude star Deneb, and is divided from its more prominent neighbour, the North America Nebula, by a molecular cloud filled with dark dust.

The Pelican is much studied because it has a particularly active mix of star formation and evolving gas clouds. The light from young energetic stars is slowly transforming cold gas to hot and causing an ionization front gradually to advance outward. Particularly dense filaments of cold gas are seen to still remain, and among these are found two jets emitted from the Herbig–Haro object 555. Millions of years from now this nebula might no longer be known as the Pelican, as the balance and placement of stars and gas will leave something that appears completely different.

Coordinates: Sky map20h 51m 00s, +44° 24′ 06″


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