description NGC 6820 Overview
NGC 6820 is an emission nebula located in the northern constellation of Vulpecula. It surrounds the open star cluster NGC 6823, whose young, hot stars emit radiation that causes the surrounding hydrogen gas to glow. The nebula features distinctive, finger-like pillars of gas and dust that are being sculpted by stellar winds and radiation pressure. It is situated approximately 6,000 light-years from Earth and is a target for astrophotography.
help NGC 6820 FAQ
Where is the NGC 6820 nebula located?
NGC 6820 is an emission nebula located in the northern constellation of Vulpecula. It is situated thousands of light-years away from Earth within the plane of the Milky Way galaxy.
What is the relationship between NGC 6820 and NGC 6823?
NGC 6820 is an expansive cloud of gas and dust that physically surrounds the open star cluster NGC 6823. The cluster sits at the heart of the nebula, and its hot, young, massive stars emit the radiation that causes the surrounding gas to glow.
What causes the distinctive pillars of gas in NGC 6820?
The pillars within NGC 6820 are sculpted by the intense stellar winds and radiation pressure originating from the young, massive stars in the central cluster. This process erodes away the surrounding gas and dust, leaving behind dense, finger-like structures.
Can amateur astronomers observe NGC 6820 with a backyard telescope?
NGC 6820 is quite faint and diffuse, making it a challenging target for visual observation even with moderately large amateur telescopes. Astrophotographers usually have much better luck capturing its structure using long-exposure imaging techniques with narrowband filters.
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