Emission Nebula · Cygnus

C20 North America Nebula

Magnitude
4
Season
Summer
Difficulty
Moderate
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North America Nebula (C20) Emission Nebula

Observer's guide

About North America Nebula

North America Nebula (C20) is catalogued as an emission nebula in Cygnus. Its J2000 position is RA 20:58:51, Dec +44:31:55, corresponding to 314.6958 degrees RA and 44.33 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 2,600 light-years away. No consistent angular diameter is available in the source record.

Observing tips

StarWatchr rates this as a moderate target at magnitude 4. It is associated with summer observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around July. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 82.3 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.

Its brightness makes it a practical binocular or small-telescope candidate when it is well above the horizon.

What to expect

The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is Cl*. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 431 bibliographic references.

Confirm the framing in the live sky atlas before choosing a field of view. Use the listed unknown arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.

Sourced catalogue data

Scientific record

Measurements for C20 are kept separate from practical observing guidance.

Coordinates (J2000/ICRS)
RA 314.695833° · Dec 44.3300°
SIMBAD classification
Cl*
Linked bibliography
431 references
Best midnight placement
July
Observable latitude range
-45.7° to 90°

Source: SIMBAD astronomical database (CDS, Strasbourg) (ODbL; checked 2026-08-09). Catalogue values may change when new measurements are published.

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