APOD: 2022 August 15 - The Cygnus Wall of Star Formation

We continue today's backlog edition of Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) with this one from August 15th: "The Cygnus Wall of Star Formation." The North American Nebula (NGC 7000) is located in the constellation Cygnus, and lies 1,500 light years from Earth. The portion of the North American Nebula that resembles Mexico and Central American is called "The Cygnus Wall" and is about 20 light years in length.

Amateur astrophotographer Johan Bogaerts produced this image. Here are his notes from his Flickr page: "Constructed using narrowband data to highlight the telltale reddish glow from ionized hydrogen atoms recombining with electrons, the image mosaic follows an ionization front with fine details of dark, dusty forms in silhouette. Sculpted by energetic radiation from the region's young, hot, massive stars, the dark shapes inhabiting the view are clouds of cool gas and dust with stars likely forming within."