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This patch of sky has so much bright nebulosity that the intricate dark tree-like structure extending from the lower left to the top center of the image is easily visible by contrast. The Tree of Life Nebula is entry number 935 in the catalog of dark nebulae published by female astronomer Beverly Lynds in 1962 based on her study of the red and blue images of the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS). This image is an 8-hour exposure using the three (H,O,S) narrowband filters. For a surprise, view it upside down and you'll see the familiar North America Nebula and Pelican Nebula on the left and right sides of the reversed image.