Open cluster NGC6520 & dark nebula Barnard 86

Open cluster NGC6520 and dark nebula Barnard 86
This image shows the young star cluster NGC6520 to the left with absorption nebula Barnard 86 lying to the right, blocking the light coming from the countless background stars in this extremely dense region of the Milky Way.
The cluster formed only a couple of millions of years ago from the dark molecular cloud.
NGC 6520 spans about 10 light years and lies about 5500 light years away in the southern constellation of Sagittarius.

Technical details

OPTICS10" Newtonian f/5.2
MOUNTLosmandy G11 equatorial
CAMERAPhilips ToUCam Pro SC1 webcam
FILTERSNone
EXPOSURE60 x 20.5s
DATE/TIME29/07/2006 11:17 UTC
LOCATIONMy backyard observatory in west Auckland, New Zealand

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