NGC 6820 is a large emission nebula surrounding the open star cluster NGC 6823 in Vulpecula.

The cluster contains hot young blue stars that formed out of the nebula 2 million years ago.

Erosion of the dust and gas in the nebula by the stellar winds from the stars in the cluster have formed a distinctive pillar, or elephant trunk, on the northeast side of the nebula, facing the star cluster.

NGC 6820 and NGC 6823 lie 6,000 light-years distant. The nebula subtends an apparent angle of 30 x 30 arcminutes, which at that distance would correspond to a true size of 55 light-years in space.

NGC 6820 was discovered by Albert Marth in 1864, and NGC 6823 was discovered by William Herschel in 1785.

North is to the top in the above image.

NGC 6820 Catalogs: NGC 6820, LBN 135, Sh2-86 Object Type: Emission Nebula Size: 30' x 30' Constellation: Vulpecula Image Field Centered At: RA: 19h 43m 08s Dec: +23° 14' 03"