| Credit: | Jeff Johnson |
| Emission Nebula NGC6820 with Open Cluster NGC6823 | |
| Type: | Emission |
| Epoch: | J2000.0 |
| Ra: | [1] |
| Dist Ly: | 6,000[2] |
| Size V: | 40 arcmins |
| Constellation: | Vulpecula |
| Names: | Nebula (NGC 6820, Sh2-86) |
NGC 6820 is a small reflection nebula near the open cluster NGC 6823 in Vulpecula. The reflection nebula and cluster are embedded in a large faint emission nebula called Sh 2-86. The whole area of nebulosity is often referred to as NGC 6820.[3]
M27, the Dumbbell Nebula, is found three degrees to the east, and α Vulpeculae three degrees to the west.
Open star cluster NGC 6823 is about 50 light-years across and lies about 6,000 light-years away. The center of the cluster formed about two million years ago and is dominated in brightness by a host of bright young blue stars. Outer parts of the cluster contain even younger stars.[2] It forms the core of the Vulpecula OB1 stellar association.[4]