The North America Nebula (NGC 7000 or Caldwell 20) is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus. The shape of the nebula resembles that of the continent of North America, hence it’s name. The nebula is located at a distance of 2590 light-years from earth. The entire region is estimated to be around 140 light-years across, and the North America nebula stretches 90 light-years from north to south.

The Norh America Nebula covers a region more than ten times the area of the full moon, but it’s surface brightness is low, so normally it cannot be seen with the unaided eye.

HII regions, like this nebula, shine because their hydrogen gas is ionised by the ultraviolet radiation from a hot star.