July 11, 2002 12:05 - 1:10 AM , seeing 5, transparency 5.2. Also July 11-12, 2002, 11:05 PM - 2:05 AM, seeing 5, transparency 5.0.

90mm f/5 refractor on alt-az mount. Magnification 13x, 15x, 21x, and 28x used with a Lumicon OIII filter.

The North America Nebula (NGC 7000) is an emission nebula located in the constellation of Cygnus. The size of the nebula is approximately 120'x30' and it has a magnitude of 4.0. It is roughly 3000 light years away.

Through the eyepiece the Gulf Coast portion of the nebula did not appear as bright as the rest of the nebula. Two other areas that also were not as bright extended from the western Gulf Coast up towards Idaho, and the Upper Midwestern states. The West Coast had an uneven appearance to it, and the southern section of Central America appeared brighter than the northern section.

William Herschel discovered the North America Nebula on October 24th 1786 using his 18.7" aperture reflecting telescope that had a focal length of 20 feet. He described it as "Very large diffused nebulosity. Brighter in the middle, 7' or 8' a little 6' brighter and losing itself very gradually and imperceptibly."

The Pelican Nebula (IC 5067-5070) is also an emission nebula, is approximately 60'x50' in size, and has a magnitude of 8.0.

Through the eyepiece the Pelican Nebula is noticeably fainter than the North America Nebula and has an irregular shape to it. There are several areas in the nebula that appeared less bright than the rest of the nebula. Below the Pelican Nebula there was a faint nebula that had an elongated appearance to it.