Local Group Galaxy NGC 6822
Explanation:
Nearby galaxy
NGC 6822 is irregular in several ways.
First, the galaxy's star distribution merits a formal classification of
dwarf
irregular, and from our vantage-point the small
galaxy appears nearly rectangular.
What strikes astronomers as more peculiar, however, is
NGC 6822's unusually high abundance of
HII regions, locales of
ionized
hydrogen that surround young stars.
Large HII regions, also known as
emission nebulas, are
visible surrounding the small galaxy,
particularly toward the upper right.
Toward the lower left are bright stars that are
loosely grouped into an arm.
Pictured above,
NGC 6822, also known as
Barnard's Galaxy, is located only about 1.5 million
light years away and so is a member of our
Local Group of Galaxies.
The
galaxy, home to famous nebulas including
Hubble V, is visible with a
small telescope toward the
constellation of
Sagittarius.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
