Date: 9/12//2012
Description: NGC 6820 is an emission nebula that surrounds open cluster NGC 6823 in Vulpecula, near M27, the Dumbbell Nebula. The nebula NGC 6820 is also called Sharpless catalog Sh 2-86. The most striking feature is the trunk-like pillar of dust and gas protruding from the east side of the nebula towards the open cluster, NGC 6823 in the west. The center of the open cluster is about two million years old and is predominantly represented by many young, bright blue stars. Outer parts of the cluster intimately involving pillars of emission nebula NGC 6820, contain even younger stars. The huge pillars of gas and dust are probably formed when surrounding gas and dust is pushed and eroded away by radiation from nearby stars. Remarkable dark globules of gas and dust are also visible in the nebula, much as is seen in the better known Eagle Nebula in Serpens or the Lagoon Nebula in Sagittarius. [Ref: WkiPedia]
Sky Conditions:
Clear sky, urban light pollution
FWHM: 2.0 - 2.5 arc sec/pixel
Imaging:
Exposure: 120 min (12 x10min) at 2x2 bin using CLS Filter
Guiding: 6 sec at 2x2 bin
Equipment:
SBIG STF8300M CCD (Halpha filter)
AT10RC at F8
Starlight Focuser & Multiport
Guide-scope (1100mm) w/STi guider using ADM guide adjuster & 2X barlow
AP1200 mount
SW:
Maxim DL V5, FocusMax, CCD-autopilot V4, Robofocus, AP ASCOM V2, SkyX, Photoshop CS4 (using Astro-Tools deep space noise reduction) - no noise reduction and no sharpening, calibration with only darks and bias