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June 21: A summertime lineup
If you’re up late after midnight, you’ll have the chance to check in on a summertime favorite: NGC 7000, the North America Nebula in Cygnus. Reaching nearly 70° high in the east by 2 A.M. local daylight time, this large emission nebula sits just 3.2° east of bright Deneb, the tail of the Swan.
Stretching 2° by 1⅔°, the North America Nebula gets its name from its distinct shape, which very closely resembles the continent. Drop a wide-field eyepiece into your telescope and it will likely fill the view. Astronomy contributor Alan Goldstein recommends adding a UHC filter for the best views. You’ll likely note that the eastern and southeastern coasts are more well defined than the western coast.
NGC 7000 sits just northeast of the smaller Pelican Nebula (IC 5070); a narrow swath of darkness cataloged as L935 separates the two.
Sunrise: 5:32 A.M.
Sunset: 8:32 P.M.
Moonrise: 2:00 P.M.
Moonset: 12:56 A.M.
Moon Phase: Waxing gibbous (62%)
*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 10 P.M. local time from the same location.
Alison Klesman is senior editor of Astronomy magazine. She holds a Ph.D. in astronomy and has studied a variety of topics, from minor planets to supermassive black holes.
