Hubble Palette (Red=SII, Green=Hydrogen Alpha, Blue=OIII)
| Catalogue and alternative designations |
M17, Swan Nebula, Omega Nebula, NGC 6618 |
| Type | Emission Nebula |
| Position | 18 20.8, -16 11 |
| Constellation | Sagittarius |
| Camera and Telescope | STXL6303E and 36.8 cm Ritchey Chretien |
| Focal Ratio | F9 |
| Exposure Details | 300m SII (5nm filter), 360m OIII (3nm filter) and 220m Ha (3nm filter) with Astrodon series 2 filters. |
| Description | M17 is one of the brightest and most detailed emission nebulae in the sky with the brightest portions being roughly 15' x 3'. The entire nebula, however, spans 46' x 37' and is estimated to be about 5868 light years distant. |