Pelican Nebula
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| Pelican Nebula | |
 Pelican Nebula (IC 5070 and IC5067) Courtesy Hunter Wilson |
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| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
|---|---|
| Type | Emission |
| 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 |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | - |
| Absolute magnitude (V) | - |
| Notable features | - |
| Other designations | IC5070 and IC5067, Sharpless 117 |
| See also: Diffuse nebula, Lists of nebulae | |
The Pelican Nebula (also known as IC5070 and IC5067) is an H II region associated with the North America Nebula in the constellation Cygnus. The nebula resembles a pelican in shape, hence the name. The Pelican Nebula is a large area of emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus (the Swan), close to Deneb, and divided from its brighter, larger neighbor, 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. 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.
