The Lagoon Nebula (M8)
in Sagittarius
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.
Photographer: Lieven Persoons
| Telescope: | TMB 152 @ f/8 |
| Mount: | 10micron GM2000 HPS II MONOLITH |
| Camera: | FLI 8300 Front Illuminated CCD |
| Exposure: | L 740min (1×1), RGB 195:175:165min (2×2), H-alfa 330m (1×1) T: 26h45 |