Lagoon Nebula

Also known as Messier 8, Sharpless 25, GUM 72

emission nebula and H II region in Sagittarius

AI overview

The Lagoon Nebula is a glowing cloud of gas located in the constellation Sagittarius that contains ionized hydrogen and is actively producing new stars. Studying it helps astronomers understand how stars form and evolve within these cosmic nurseries.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

Distance from Earth: 4100
Image: LagoonHunterWilson.jpg

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Commons category: Lagoon Nebula
catalog code: [L89b] 5.973-01.178
time of discovery or invention: 1654-00-00
apparent magnitude: 6
declination: -24.3867
right ascension: 270.9042
radial velocity: 3.8

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Article

The Lagoon Nebula (catalogued as Messier 8 or M8, NGC 6523, Sharpless 25, RCW 146, and Gum 72) 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 (the other being the Orion Nebula).

Characteristics