North America and the Pelican . ... On the left is an emission nebula cataloged as NGC 7000, famous partly because it resembles our fair planet's continent of North America. The emission region to the right of the North America Nebula is IC 5070, also known for its suggestive outlines as the Pelican Nebula . Separated by a dark cloud of obscuring dust , the two bright nebulae are about 1,500 light-years away. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . ...