M8 - The Lagoon Nebula in Sagittarius
Copyright 2001 Hap Griffin
The nebula gets its name from the fact that the main cloud is bi-sected by a dark region in its middle resembling a lagoon on an island. The young open star cluster NGC 6530, here seen to the left of the "lagoon" was formed from the gas and dust comprising the nebula. The Lagoon Nebula is approximately 5200 light years distant.
Date/Location:
September 18, 2001 Griffin/Hunter
Observatory Bethune, SC
Instrument: Meade f6.3 10" LX-200
Focal Ratio: Approx. f4 (utilizing focal reducer in GEG)
Guiding: Auto - SBIG ST4 through Orion ST80 w/ 2X Barlow
Conditions: Visually clear, but with moderate high level water
vapor
Weather: 70 F, Still wind
Film: Kodak Elite Chrome 200
Exposure: 1 x 40 minutes
Filters: None
Processing: Finished in Photoshop 5