The Pelican in the Swan

The Pelican Nebula, also known as IC 5070, lies about 2,000 light-years away in the high and far-off constellation of Cygnus, the Swan . This picture spans a portion of the magnificent nebula about 30 light-years wide. Fittingly, this cosmic pelican is found just off the east “coast” of the North America Nebula , another surprisingly familiar looking emission nebula in Cygnus . In fact, the Pelican and North America nebulae are part of the same large star forming region . The two glowing nebulae appear separated from our vantage point by a large obscuring dust cloud running across the upper left corner in this gorgeous color view . Within the Pelican Nebula , dark dust clouds also help define the eye and long bill, while a bright front of ionized gas suggests the curved shape of the head and neck. Even though it is almost as close as the Orion Nebula , the stellar nursery marked by the Pelican and North America nebulae has proven complex and difficult to study.