BLACK DOG OBSERVATORY

M8 (NGC6523) Lagoon Nebula (Center)

This image is roughly of the center of what is a diffuse nebula in the constellation Sagittarius. It is divided by a dark lane, visible at the very top of this picture. Within the brightest part of the nebula (not very distinct here, but immediately above the bright star in the centre), is the Hourglass Nebula. The bright star is 9 Sagittarii and its ultraviolet radiation is what causes the nebula to glow. There are a number of Dark Nebulae within the Lagoon (one is visible between the two diffraction-spiked stars). The nebula is 140 x 60 light years in size and 5,200 light years away.