description NGC 6823 Overview
NGC 6823 is a young open star cluster located in the constellation Vulpecula, approximately 6,000 light-years from Earth. It is associated with the surrounding emission nebula NGC 6820, and stellar winds from the cluster's hot, massive stars have sculpted nearby gas and dust. The cluster is estimated to be less than a few million years old. It is a popular target for amateur astrophotography.
help NGC 6823 FAQ
Is NGC 6823 a nebula or a star cluster?
NGC 6823 is a young open star cluster, while nearby NGC 6820 is the associated emission nebula. Images often show both objects together, which is why the names are easy to mix up.
Where is NGC 6823 in the sky?
It lies in the constellation Vulpecula, the Fox, about 6,000 light-years from Earth. NASA describes the cluster as spanning roughly 50 light-years.
How old are the stars in NGC 6823?
The center of the cluster formed about 2 million years ago, making it extremely young by stellar standards. Bright blue massive stars dominate the central region, and outer parts contain even younger stars.
What sculpted the pillars around NGC 6823?
Hot radiation and stellar winds from the cluster's massive young stars erode the gas and dust in NGC 6820. That process creates the elongated pillars and helps trigger new star formation in the surrounding cloud.
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