M8 · nebula

Lagoon Nebula

The Lagoon Nebula is a giant emission nebula with an H II region located in the constellation Sagittarius.

RA18h 03m 41sDec−24° 22' 48"

Image: NASA / GSFC. Source: GSFC via images.nasa.gov.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: M8
All designations: M8 · NGC 6523 · Lagoon Nebula
Object type: Nebula
Constellation: Sagittarius
Best viewing: Summer

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 18h 03m 41s
Declination (J2000): −24° 22' 48"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —

III

Visibility tonight

The science

The Lagoon Nebula is a giant emission nebula with an H II region located in the constellation Sagittarius. Discovered by Giovanni Hodierna in 1654, it is one of only two star-forming nebulae faintly visible to the naked eye from mid-northern latitudes.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0