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 .