m8_STL11K_RC_Halpha.jpg (192022 bytes)

Hydrogen Alpha

 

m8_STL11K_RC_nb.jpg (424477 bytes)

Hubble Palette SII:Ha:OIII

 

m8_STL11K_RC_HaRGB.jpg (537945 bytes)

HaRGB

m8_2_part_panorama_HaRGB.jpg (885437 bytes)

2 part HaRGB panorama

m8_STL11K_CFHT_HaRGB_blend.jpg (471161 bytes)

HaRGB blend with narrow-band data

 

Catalogue and alternative designations M8, NGC 6523, Lagoon Nebula

 
Type Emission Nebula 
Position 09 45.6, -31.11
Constellation Sagittarius
Camera and Telescope STL11000M and 31.75 cm Ritchey Chretien
Focal Ratio F9
Exposure Details 180 minutes with 6nm Astrodon Hydrogen Alpha filter for the Hydrogen Alpha image.

300 minutes SII and 260 minutes OIII using 5nm Astrodon filters for the Hubble palette narrowband version.

R=G=B=75 minutes all binned 1x1 for RGB version
Description This well known emission nebula is easily visible with the naked eye under a dark sky and the nebulosity covers some 90' x 40' in total.  The estimated distance is 1600 parsecs.  The so called "hourglass nebula" is prominent above centre.