M8 NGC 6523 <br> The Lagoon Nebula

M8 NGC 6523
The Lagoon Nebula


291 second exposure. Modified Canon Digital Rebel DSLR camera.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

A large, bright emission nebula that is easily visible to the naked eye, M 8, also known as the "Lagoon Nebula" is a beautiful object in the telescope. Visually, a bright cluster of stars (NGC 6523) dominates, with the nebula visible as a "fog" surrounding the stars. The prominent dark lane that gives the nebula it "Lagoon" title, is visible in a 4" telescope under dark skies. Unfortunately the red colour of the nebula is not visible to the eye.

To the north (above) of M8 is the emission nebula, M20, also known as the Trifid Nebula.


Combination of the above image and a 377 second exposure of M20.
Modified Canon Digital Rebel DSLR camera. 5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.