Astrophotography by Torsten Mueller


Messier 8

Lagoon Nebula
Emission Nebula
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Object Information

Description The Lagoon Nebula (catalogued as Messier 8 or M8, NGC 6523, Sharpless 25, RCW 146, and Gum 72) is a giant interstellar cloud in the constellation Sagittarius. It is classified as an emission nebula and as an H II region. The Lagoon Nebula was discovered by Giovanni Hodierna before 1654 and is one of only two star-forming nebulae faintly visible to the eye from mid-northern latitudes. Seen with binoculars, it appears as a distinct oval cloudlike patch with a definite core. Within the nebula is the open cluster NGC 6530.
Type Emission Nebula
Brightness 6 mag (vis)
Apparent Size 90' x 40'
Distance 0.0041 MLy

Exposure Information

Date 2017-10-04
Location Emberger Alm (Austria) 2017
Optics Meade Series 5000 APO 127/950 f/7.5
Camera Canon EOS1200Da
Integration 20 x 60 sec Color (ISO1600)
(0.33 h total)
Image remarks ITT