The North America Nebula

The North America Nebula in the sky can do what most North Americans on Earth cannot -- form stars. Specifically, in analogy to the Earth-confined continent , the bright part that appears as Central America and Mexico is actually a hot bed of gas, dust, and newly formed stars known as the Cygnus Wall . This beautiful skyscape shows the star forming wall lit and eroded by bright young stars , and partly hidden by the dark dust they have created. The North America Nebula ( NGC 7000 ) spans about 50 light years and lies about 1,500 light years away toward the constellation of the Swan ( Cygnus ).