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
This is rated 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.