October 28, 2008
The same forces that sculpt nebulae and spin galaxies into existence were at work the day you were born.
The North America Nebula
Birthday · October 28, 2008
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APOD published October 28, 2008. Credit: Ignacio Rico Gualda. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
The North America Nebula in the sky can do what most North Americans on Earth cannot -- form stars. Specifically, in analogy to the Earth-confined continent, the bright part that appears as Central America and Mexico is actually a hot bed of gas, dust, and newly formed stars known as the Cygnus Wall. This beautiful skyscape shows the star forming wall lit and eroded by bright young stars, and partly hidden by the dark dust they have created. The North America Nebula (NGC 7000) spans about 50 light years and lies about 1,500 light years away toward the constellation of the Swan (Cygnus).
Image credit: Ignacio Rico Gualda