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North America Nebula (NGC 7000)
emission nebula in Cygnus
The North America Nebula in Cygnus looks like the continent, with a dark lane for the Gulf of Mexico. It is large, about two degrees across, and glows strongly in hydrogen alpha, so it is one of the best targets for a camera with a short lens and a dual-band filter, even from a city.
Save your telescope or lens on the planner to lay your camera frame over this diagram.
// Key facts
- Catalog
- NGC 7000
- Type
- emission nebula
- Constellation
- Cygnus
- Size
- 2.0° across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 4
- Distance
- roughly 1,600 to 2,600 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Aug
- Typical prime months
- May to Oct
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Filter
- Narrowband: Ha / OIII / SII, or a dual-band / UHC filter
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How to image North America Nebula
- Use a short focal length: 135 to 300 mm gives a full-frame view with the neighboring Pelican Nebula (IC 5070).
- A dual-band or Ha filter makes it show brilliantly under light pollution.
- Because it is so big, small mounts that cannot carry long lenses still do well here.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which NGC 7000 spans about 60% of the long side of the sensor, leaving room around it. Treat it as a starting point; the right framing is a matter of taste.
| Sensor | Focal length |
|---|---|
| 1-inch sensor (13.2 mm) | about 230 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 400 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 620 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point NGC 7000 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.
| Latitude | Highest point | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 55°N (Scotland, Alaska) | 79° | High in the sky |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | 89° | High in the sky |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | 81° | High in the sky |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 71° | High in the sky |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | 11° | Stays low |
Also worth imaging
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