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Barnard's Galaxy

NGC 6822

Galaxy Excellent (69/100)

Irregular

C57 Galaxy Sagittarius Visible Level 4 Large telescope (10"+) - Dark skies recommended
Credit: ESO. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
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Properties

Magnitude 8.7
Angular Size 17.4′ × 16.8′
Position Angle 27°
Distance 1700000 ly
Galaxy Type Irregular (IB)
Irregular Galaxy [Distance: 1700000 ly]

Position & Identifiers

RA 19h 44m 56.4s
Dec -14° 48' 07.2"
Constellation Sagittarius
Catalog C57

Visibility

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About Barnard's Galaxy

Description

Barnard's Galaxy (NGC 6822) is a dwarf irregular galaxy in Sagittarius, about 1.6 million light-years away. It is a member of the Local Group and one of the closest galaxies beyond the Magellanic Clouds, with active star formation and numerous HII regions.

Observing Tips

A challenging target due to low surface brightness and low declination from northern latitudes. Requires dark skies and at least a 6-inch telescope. Appears as a faint, large, irregular glow. Best in summer when Sagittarius is highest.

History

Discovered by E.E. Barnard in 1884 using a 6-inch refractor. It was one of the first galaxies recognized as lying beyond the Milky Way when Edwin Hubble identified Cepheid variables in it in 1925.

Fun Facts

Barnard's Galaxy is one of the few galaxies discovered visually in the late 19th century rather than photographically. It contains a giant bubble of ionized hydrogen about 1,500 light-years across, one of the largest HII complexes in the Local Group.

Community Photos (1)

Credit: ESO. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Credit: ESO. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Skybred Mar 2, 2026