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The Lagoon Nebula, also known as Messier 8 (M8) or NGC 6523, is a vast and luminous emission nebula located in the constellation Sagittarius, about 4,100 light-years away. This immense cloud of interstellar gas and dust spans over 100 light-years across, making it one of the largest and brightest star-forming regions visible in the night sky.
In this image, waves of glowing hydrogen gas radiate in shades of deep red and pink, illuminated by intense ultraviolet light from young, massive stars. Dark lanes of dust wind through the nebula’s heart, creating striking contrast and depth. Near its center lies the Hourglass Nebula, a region of especially active star formation where newborn stars are shaping the surrounding gas with powerful stellar winds.
The Lagoon Nebula is a celestial nursery, a place where stars are born and evolve, filling the surrounding region with light and energy. It’s a favorite target for astronomers and astrophotographers alike, showcasing the grandeur and complexity of our Milky Way’s inner regions.
Constellation: Sagittarius
Distance: ~4,100 light-years
Type: Emission Nebula / H II Region
Catalog Designations: Messier 8 (M8), NGC 6523
The Lagoon Nebula, also known as Messier 8 (M8) or NGC 6523, is a vast and luminous emission nebula located in the constellation Sagittarius, about 4,100 light-years away. This immense cloud of interstellar gas and dust spans over 100 light-years across, making it one of the largest and brightest star-forming regions visible in the night sky.
In this image, waves of glowing hydrogen gas radiate in shades of deep red and pink, illuminated by intense ultraviolet light from young, massive stars. Dark lanes of dust wind through the nebula’s heart, creating striking contrast and depth. Near its center lies the Hourglass Nebula, a region of especially active star formation where newborn stars are shaping the surrounding gas with powerful stellar winds.
The Lagoon Nebula is a celestial nursery, a place where stars are born and evolve, filling the surrounding region with light and energy. It’s a favorite target for astronomers and astrophotographers alike, showcasing the grandeur and complexity of our Milky Way’s inner regions.
Constellation: Sagittarius
Distance: ~4,100 light-years
Type: Emission Nebula / H II Region
Catalog Designations: Messier 8 (M8), NGC 6523