NGC 6822: Barnard's Galaxy

Click on image for larger version.


 At a distance of 1.7 million light years away, NGC 6822 is literally right around the corner. This galaxy is a dwarf with a mere 10 million stellar members in its ranks. Note the "bubble" of gas in the top right corner. This bubble was probalby caused by stars that formed from their natal gas cloud. Upon their birth, the extra gas in the cloud was expelled into space- pushed out by the energetic stellar winds of the baby stars. Since this galaxy (especially on the outskirts) does not have much in the way of internal motions, the bubble of gas continues to expand without anything disrupting it. (For those with good eyes... there are actually a few other bubbles in this image as well).

Equipment

20in RC Optical Systems telescope operating at f/5.3
Paramount ME Robotic Telescope Mount
SBIG ST10XME CCD camera with color filter wheel

L R G B color production was used to create this image.

Luminance = 75 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 15 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 15 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 15 minutes binned 2x2
  • If done again, this image would need longer exposures in both luminance and color components.

    • Minimum credit line: Julie and Jessica Garcia/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 06/10/04