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

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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