At the middle of this image is the star cluster NGC 6820, a young
cluster full of large, powerful stars. The radiation from those
stars has lit up the cloud of hydrogen in this region (that glowing
cloud is cataloged as Sharpless 86). As the radiation from the stars
erodes the cloud of gas and dust, some denser regions resist the
erosion, and create dark fingers seemingly pointing to the middle
of the cluster. Throughout the region are also small, dark "Bok
globules," dense regions of gas and dust that will likely continue
to collapse until a new star is born (you may need to view the "original"
size to see these). This cluster and nebula are located about 6000 light
years from earth, in the constellation Vulpecula.

Image Data:
Telescope: Hyperion 12.5"
Camera: SBIG STL-11000
Exposure: 12.5 hours
(6.5 hours hydrogen-alpha; 2 hours each of RGB)