The Pacman Nebula glowing in deep red light among scattered stars in space

NGC 6823 is a young open star cluster embedded within the emission nebula NGC 6820, approximately 6,000 light-years away in the constellation Vulpecula. Radiation and stellar winds from the cluster’s hot young stars illuminate and sculpt the surrounding gas and dust into dramatic pillars, ridges, and dark clouds. This image represents approximately five hours of integration data.