M8: The Lagoon Nebula
Explanation:
The bright
Lagoon Nebula is home to a diverse array of astronomical objects.
Particularly interesting sources include a bright
open cluster of stars and
several energetic
star-forming regions.
The general red glow is caused by
luminous hydrogen gas,
while the dark filaments are caused by absorption by dense
lanes of
dust.
The
Lagoon
Nebula,
also known as
M8 and
NGC 6523, lies about 5000 light-years away.
The
Lagoon Nebula can be located
with binoculars in the constellation of
Sagittarius spanning a region
over three times the diameter of a
full Moon.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
