(click for larger image)

 

Catalogue and alternative designations M8, NGC 6523, Lagoon Nebula

 

Type Emission Nebula
Position 18 03.8, -24 23
Constellation Scorpius
Camera and Telescope STL6303E and 31.75 cm Ritchey Chretien
Focal Ratio F9
Exposure Details LRGB = 100:70:70:70 All binned 1x1 with Astrodon NIR filters. Red is assigned to a band peaking at about 850nm, Green peaking at about 830nm and Blue at 750nm.  The luminance is "visible blocked" with zero response shorter than 700nm.
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.  The nebulosity is considerably reduced in near infrared and many cooler and obscured stars are visible.  Click here for a mouse over with a HaRGB version of M8.