Pelican Nebula

The Pelican Nebula is an intriguing and visually striking region of space located in the Cygnus constellation, within our Milky Way galaxy. Its name derives from its unique shape, which resembles a pelican with its long beak and expansive wingspan, or even a celestial pelican in flight. This nebula is part of the larger North American Nebula (NGC 7000) and is characterized by a rich tapestry of gas and dust, making it a prime area for active star formation. The Pelican Nebula's radiant appearance is due to the ultraviolet radiation emitted by nearby massive stars, which excites the surrounding hydrogen gas, causing it to glow with a distinctive reddish hue.

Within the Pelican Nebula, there are regions of intense star formation, known as "stellar nurseries," where new stars are born from the surrounding gas and dust. These young stars, hidden within the nebula's dark and dusty pillars, are gradually shaping their cosmic surroundings.