The North America Nebula (NGC7000) and the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070) are parts of the same interstellar cloud of ionized hydrogen (H II region). Its shape as we see is determined by a band of interstellar dust that lies between the nebula and Earth that absorbs the light of stars and nebula behind it. The distance of the nebula complex and the star responsible for ionizing the hydrogen are not exactly known. If would be Deneb, which is located nearby in this region of the sky, the nebula complex would be at about 1800 light years from the Earth and its size would be 100 light years. The nebula was discovered by William Herschel on October 24, 1786.

Ipar Amerika Nebulosa (NGC7000) eta Pelikano Nebulosa (IC 5070) izar-arteko ionizatutako (H II eremua) hodei beraren zati dira. Ikusten dugun nebulosaren itxura, Lurra eta nebulosa konplexuaren artean dagoen izar-arteko hauts banda ilun batek zehazten du, gugana iristen diren izar argi eta nebulosaren argia xurgatuz eta estaliz. Ez da zehazki ezagutzen nebulosa konplexuaren distantzia Lurrarekiko ezta nebulosa ionizatzen duen izarra. Eremutik gertu dagoen Deneb izango balitz, nebulosa konplexua Lurrarekiko 1800 argi urtera kokatuko litzateke eta bere tamaina 100 argi urtekoa litzateke. Nebulosa William Herschel-ek aurkitu zuen 1786ko urriaren 24an.