NGC 6820 is an emission nebula that surrounds open cluster NGC 6823 in Vulpecula. near M27, the Dumbbell Nebula. The nebula is also designated Sharpless catalog Sh 2-86, and lies about 6000 light years away.

The most striking feature is the trunk-like pillar or dust and gas protruding from the east side of the nebula towards the open cluster, NGC 6823 in the west. The center of the open cluster is about two million years old and is predominantly represented by many young, bright blue stars. Outer parts of the cluster intimately involving pillars of emission nebula NGC 6820, contain even younger stars. The huge pillars of gas and dust are probably formed when surrounding gas and dust is pushed and eroded away by radiation from nearby stars.