The North America Nebula (NGC 7000 or Caldwell 20) is an
emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, close to Deneb
(the tail of the swan and its brightest star). The remarkable
shape of the nebula resembles that of the continent of
North America, complete with a prominent Gulf of Mexico.
It is sometimes incorrectly called the "North American Nebula".
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.[1] 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.