North America Nebula captivates with its continent-like shape in latest image

This image is named "North America Nebula (NGC 7000)" because it resembles the shape of the American continent. The bright area visible along the eastern coast is composed of gas, dust, and newly formed stars. The bright, young stars in the image shine, but are partially obscured by the dark dust created by the stars. Some parts of the North America Nebula span about 50 light-years (a light-year is the distance light travels in one year, approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers) and are located about 1,500 light-years away in the direction of Cygnus (Virgo).