We use CCD and photoelectric photometry with Strömgren filters along with medium resolution spectra to investigate NGC 6520 , an open cluster very nearly in the direction of the galactic center .
We find an age of 60 Myr , a distance of 2 kpc , and an average reddening E ( b-y ) = 0.295 , but which increases toward the south .
The average heliocentric radial velocity of the B stars is -29 km s ^ { -1 } , while the velocity of the nearby Barnard 86 is about 0 ( heliocentric , -11 km s ^ { -1 } compared to the LSR ) .
This velocity difference amounts to about 1.8 kpc since the cluster formed , implying that it is extremely doubtful NGC 6520 is related to Barnard 86 .