Differential color excess in a vertical plane containing the Sun and along the Galactic longitude l = 28°. The north Galactic pole is at the top. The map shows the distribution of Aquila Rift clouds and more distant structures. The b = +9° dashed line corresponds to the latitude above which X-rays from the North Polar Spur (NPS) start being detected. The very thick cloud absorbing predominantly the NPS at b ≤ +9° is located between 500 and 800 pc.