240628 - M8 "Lagoon" nebula
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click image to enlarge
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ASTRO:
type=Emission nebula mag=6.0 const=Sagittarius dist=4100 ly size=107 ly IMAGE: location=EB Driveway BrtlCls=4 moon=60%, WxGb exposure=CMOS OSC 83x240s (5.5h) G100 EQUIPMENT: camera=ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro optics=ES102, w 1.0x fltnr, FL=714mm, f/7.0 filter=Optolong L-eXtreme Duo NB mount=Celestron AVX EQ guiding=Orion 60x240mm, ZWO ASi224MC SOFTWARE: acquisition=Stellarium, APT, PHD2, processing=PixInsight (RCAstro) (SetiAstro), PhotoshopCC, LrC |
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Ridges of glowing interstellar gas and dark dust clouds inhabit the turbulent, cosmic depths of the Lagoon Nebula. Also known as Messier 8 (or M8), the bright star forming region is about 5,000 light-years distant. It makes for a very popular stop on telescopic tours of the constellation Sagittarius, toward the center of our Milky Way Galaxy. Dominated by the telltale red emission of ionized hydrogen atoms recombining with stripped electrons, this stunning, deep-field view of the Lagoon is nearly 100 light-years across.
As with all single-perspective photographs, it can be difficult to imagine what the 3-dimensional shape of the cloud might actually be; but if we use our imagination just a little, we can begin to see a similarity to the cupped shape of 1/2 of an open oyster-shell; with its bright, gleaming center being where the embedded mollusk would live. From our perspective across the galaxy, we are fortunate to be in a position to view it 'face-on' where we can see deeply into its central core region.
Slightly right of center, the bright central core is comprised of gas ionized and sculpted by energetic radiation and extreme stellar winds from a massive young star, pushing the central clouds and forming the cupped shape. In fact, the many bright stars of open cluster NGC 6530 (left of center) drift closely to the nebula, and also contribute to the glow, and to forming the shape. Recently formed only a few, short million years ago (by astronomical standards), this cluster of stars is comprised of several dozen new, young, hot blue stars that are theorized to have been formed from within the nebula. They are somewhat loosely grouped together into an open cluster; and are in the process of moving together and outward into outer space. Loosely bound by mutual gravitational attraction and having similarly oriented velocity vectors that carry them together in the same direction, they will eventually become dispersed by the 'push & pull' of close gravitational encounters with other clusters, clouds of gas and dust, and larger stars. As they traverse through the galaxy, each star will eventually find its own path; while a few of them may 'stick' together to form binary pairs.
M8 is classified as an emission nebula, and as an H-II region. The earliest found record of discovery currently holds that It was first observed and recorded by Italian astronomer, Giovanni Hodierna sometime before 1654, and is one of only two star-forming nebulae faintly visible to the unaided eye from mid-northern latitudes. The other is the wintertime favorite, the Orion Nebula. (See '210104 - M42 "Orion" nebula' in this collection.)
The Lagoon contains a number of Bok globules (dark, collapsing clouds of protostellar material) along with pillars of interstellar material. It also includes a tornado-like structure caused by the central massive, hot, O-type star that emits a strong barrage of ultraviolet light heating and ionizing gases on the surface of the nebula. This structure, located at the center of the cloud, is known as the Hourglass Nebula. In 2006, four Herbig–Haro objects were detected within the Hourglass, providing direct evidence of active star formation.
When seen with binoculars or an observer's telescope, the Lagoon appears largely colorless, but as a beautiful and distinct cloud-like patch with a definite core. Big, bright and colorful, it is a favorite for imagers both beginner and experienced alike. It is one of the most beautiful objects to be found in our nighttime skies.
As with all single-perspective photographs, it can be difficult to imagine what the 3-dimensional shape of the cloud might actually be; but if we use our imagination just a little, we can begin to see a similarity to the cupped shape of 1/2 of an open oyster-shell; with its bright, gleaming center being where the embedded mollusk would live. From our perspective across the galaxy, we are fortunate to be in a position to view it 'face-on' where we can see deeply into its central core region.
Slightly right of center, the bright central core is comprised of gas ionized and sculpted by energetic radiation and extreme stellar winds from a massive young star, pushing the central clouds and forming the cupped shape. In fact, the many bright stars of open cluster NGC 6530 (left of center) drift closely to the nebula, and also contribute to the glow, and to forming the shape. Recently formed only a few, short million years ago (by astronomical standards), this cluster of stars is comprised of several dozen new, young, hot blue stars that are theorized to have been formed from within the nebula. They are somewhat loosely grouped together into an open cluster; and are in the process of moving together and outward into outer space. Loosely bound by mutual gravitational attraction and having similarly oriented velocity vectors that carry them together in the same direction, they will eventually become dispersed by the 'push & pull' of close gravitational encounters with other clusters, clouds of gas and dust, and larger stars. As they traverse through the galaxy, each star will eventually find its own path; while a few of them may 'stick' together to form binary pairs.
M8 is classified as an emission nebula, and as an H-II region. The earliest found record of discovery currently holds that It was first observed and recorded by Italian astronomer, Giovanni Hodierna sometime before 1654, and is one of only two star-forming nebulae faintly visible to the unaided eye from mid-northern latitudes. The other is the wintertime favorite, the Orion Nebula. (See '210104 - M42 "Orion" nebula' in this collection.)
The Lagoon contains a number of Bok globules (dark, collapsing clouds of protostellar material) along with pillars of interstellar material. It also includes a tornado-like structure caused by the central massive, hot, O-type star that emits a strong barrage of ultraviolet light heating and ionizing gases on the surface of the nebula. This structure, located at the center of the cloud, is known as the Hourglass Nebula. In 2006, four Herbig–Haro objects were detected within the Hourglass, providing direct evidence of active star formation.
When seen with binoculars or an observer's telescope, the Lagoon appears largely colorless, but as a beautiful and distinct cloud-like patch with a definite core. Big, bright and colorful, it is a favorite for imagers both beginner and experienced alike. It is one of the most beautiful objects to be found in our nighttime skies.