When to photograph NGC 6820
NGC 6820 is a nebula in Vulpecula, 1′ across at magnitude 15.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are August and September, with up to 5.7 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in August. It reaches 68° at its highest.
From 35° S the best months are May to September, with up to 2.2 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in June. It reaches 32° at its highest.
Framing
At 1′ it is small. Even 4000 mm of focal length leaves it filling less than a third of an APS-C frame, so it suits long focal lengths, small pixels and good seeing.
Filters and the moon
Reflection and dark nebulae are broadband targets. They need dark, moon-free nights and plenty of integration time. The dark sky calendar shows which nights this month are moon-free where you are.
Plan it for tonight
Dates and times depend on your exact location. The imaging planner shows NGC 6820's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- M 27 Dumbbell Nebula 4.0° away
- M 71 5.1° away
- NGC 6882 7.5° away
- M 56 9.1° away
- M 57 Ring Nebula 14.6° away
- NGC 6960 Western Veil (Witch's Broom) 16.0° away
Gear that suits NGC 6820
NGC 6820 is only 0.5′ across, so it stays small in any amateur telescope. The longest focal length gives it the most pixels.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 2% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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