| Emission Nebula NGC6820 with Open Cluster NGC6823 | |
|---|---|
NGC 6820/NGC 6823 - Courtesy Hunter Wilson |
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| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Type | Emission |
| Right ascension | 19h 42m 27.92s[1] |
| Declination | +23° 05′ 14.7″[1] |
| Distance | 6,000 ly[2] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 40arcmins |
| Constellation | Vulpecula |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | - |
| Absolute magnitude (V) | - |
| Notable features | - |
| Other designations | Nebula (NGC 6820, Sh2-86) |
| See also: Diffuse nebula, Lists of nebulae | |
NGC 6820 is an emission nebula that surrounds open cluster NGC 6823 in Vulpecula, near M27, the Dumbbell Nebula. The nebula NGC 6820 is also called Sharpless catalog Sh 2-86.
The most striking feature is the trunk-like pillar or dust and gas protruding from the east side of the nebula towards the open cluster, NGC 6823 in the west. The center of the open cluster is about two million years old and is predominantly represented by many young, bright blue stars. Outer parts of the cluster intimately involving pillars of emission nebula NGC 6820, contain even younger stars. The huge pillars of gas and dust are probably formed when surrounding gas and dust is pushed and eroded away by radiation from nearby stars. Remarkable dark globules of gas and dust are also visible in the nebula, much as is seen in the better known Eagle Nebula in Serpens or the Lagoon Nebula in Sagittarius.
Open star cluster NGC 6823 is about 50 light years across and lies about 6000 light years away.[2]
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