NGC 6820

Diffuse nebula


caption= NGC 6820/NGC 6823 - Courtesy Hunter Wilson
name = NGC 6820 with Open Cluster NGC6823
type = Emission
epoch = J2000.0
ra = RA|19|42|27.92cite web
title=SIMBAD Astronomical Database
work=Results for NGC 6820
url=http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/Simbad
accessdate=2008-07-03]

dec = DEC|+23|05|14.7
dist_ly = 6,000 lycite web
title=Astronomy Picture of the Day
work=Results for NGC 6820
url=http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap041004.html
accessdate=2008-07-03]
appmag_v =
size_v = 40arcmins
constellation = Vulpecula
radius_ly = -
absmag_v = -
notes = -
names =

NGC 6820 is an emission nebula that surrounds open cluster NGC 6823 in Vulpecula, near M27, the Dumbbell nebula. 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.

External links

* [http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap041004.html APOD Picture of the Day 2004 October 4]
* [http://www.noao.edu/outreach/aop/observers/n6820.html National Optical Observatory]

References