Lagoon Nebula

RA 18:04; Dec -24:23 (Sagittarius)
Distance: 4500 ly
Type: emission
The Lagoon Nebula gets its name from the dark band of dust separating its two bright sections.
The Lagoon Nebula is much larger and brighter than its neighbor the Trifid Nebula; it is even visible with the naked eye on a dark night.
The open cluster enveloped by the Lagoon Nebula is known as NGC 6530 which contains several dozen hot new stars just formed out of this nebula.

(Hourglass Nebula)
AAT html
(David Malin)

UKS html
(David Malin)

SEDS 28k gif
(caption)

1995 April 6