The bright star cluster NGC 6520 and the strangely shaped dark cloud Barnard 86
This image from the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile, shows the bright star cluster NGC 6520 and its neighbour, the strangely shaped dark cloud Barnard 86. This cosmic pair is set against millions of glowing stars from the brightest part of the Milky Way — a region so dense with stars that barely any dark sky is seen across the picture.
Credit:ESO
About the Image
| Id: | eso1307a |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 13 February 2013, 12:00 |
| Related releases: | eso1307 |
| Size: | 8473 x 8233 px |
About the Object
| Name: | Barnard 86, NGC 6520 |
| Type: | Milky Way : Nebula : Appearance : Dark : Bok Globule Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Open |
| Distance: | 6000 light years |
| Constellation: | Sagittarius |
| Category: | Nebulae Stars |
Image Formats
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 18 2 58.13 |
| Position (Dec): | -27° 52' 5.13" |
| Field of view: | 33.57 x 32.62 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 0.0° left of vertical |
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
|---|---|
| Optical B | MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |
| Optical V | MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |
| Optical Rc | MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |