The Pelican Nebula in Gas Dust and Stars . ... The light from young energetic stars is slowly transforming the cold gas to hot gas, with the advancing boundary between the two, known as an ionization front, visible in bright orange on the right. ... Millions of years from now this nebula might no longer be known as the Pelican , as the balance and placement of stars and gas will surely leave something that appears completely different. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . ...