Messier 17 (M 17)

Introduction | Map | Sketch | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos

On this page I collect my observations of the galactic emission nebula M 17 (NGC 6618), called Omega or Swan Nebula, in the constellation Sagittarius.

Introduction

M 17 is a galactic emission nebula in the Sagittarius constellation, which, according to Stoyan, is by many observers counted among the best nebulae of this type. The name Swan Nebula describes its form in a reversing telescope, but the name Omega Nebula, which dates back to William Herrschel, seems to be the more common one.

M 17 (NGC 6618)
Size: 20' x 15' (Stoyan)
Distance: 5,000 light years (Stoyan)
Rating: **** (Stoyan).

Map

M 17 in the constellation Sagittarius below Scutum (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

M 17 in the constellation Sagittarius and in the context of other nearby DSO (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Sketch

The sketch by Michael Vlasov (DeepSkyWatch.com) provides an impression of what I failed to observe in Summer/Autumn 2016: Sketch of the M 17 Nebula by Michael Vlasov (Copyright © Michael Vlasov 2016)

Note: I only have the author's permission to link to the sketch.

My Best Own Photos

eVscope

M 17 - Aug 8, 2020		M 17 - Aug 23, 2020		M 17 - Aug 23, 2020
M 17 - Aug 8, 2020, photo on top processed		M 17 - Aug 23, 2020, photo on top processed		M 17 - Aug 23, 2020, photo on top processed
M 17 - Sep 8, 2021		M 17 - Sep 8, 2021, photo left processed

eVscope 2

M 17 - Aug 22, 2022		M 17 - Aug 22, 2022, photo left processed
M 17 - Aug 21, 2023		M 17 - Aug 21, 2023, photo left processed

Vespera

M 17, Jul 31, 2022 - original (29 frames = 290 seconds)		M 17, Aug 16, 2022 - original (92 frames = 920 seconds)

My Own Observations

Observations Summer to Autumn 2016

• September 7, 2016 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Skymax-102 on Star Discovery Mount): Observed M 17 (Omega/Swan Nebula), saw only stars and, at best, a faint glow…

(Further attempts at M 23, M 20 Trifid Nebula, M 8 Lagoon Nebula, M 21, M 24 Small Sagittarius Cloud)

Observations September to October 2018

• October 4, 2018 (Sumène, France: PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto Mount): Observed M 17 (Omega/Swan Nebula), saw a glow and a star cluster (no nebula filter)

Observations September to October 2019

• September 18, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600 on AZ Pronto Mount): Saw the nebula M 17 with a straight nebula-like glow at the center, below the nebula there was a small OS (M 18) (leaves from trees disturbed the observation of both objects); both not identified initially; found both again on Sep 19 and identified them.
• September 19, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600 on AZ Pronto Mount): M 17 (24, 7, 4 mm) - saw the nebula and the small OC M 18 below it just like the day before; identified them according to Stoyan as M 17 (Swan/Omega Nebula) and M 18.
• September 20, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600 on AZ Pronto Mount): M 17 (24, 7, 4 mm) seen well; M 18 had only few stars (24, 7 mm)
• October 3, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600 on AZ Pronto Mount): M 17 and M 18 (24 mm) observed once more.

Observations May to August 2020

• May 29, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 17 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay
• May 31, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 17 photographed (n.O., r.F.), photo disturbed by trees
• Jun 1, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 17 photographed (n.O., r.F.), photo slightly disturbed by trees
• Jun 11, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 17 photographed (n.O., r.F.)
• Jul 9, 2020 (Ulm: eVscope): M 17 photographed (n.O., r.F.)
• Aug 8, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 17 photographed (n.O., r.F.)
• Aug 23, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 17 photographed (n.O., r.F.)

Observations July to September 2021

• July 17, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 17 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation
• July 18, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 17 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation despite new collimation
• August 14, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C8 on Star Discovery Mount): M 17 observed; nebula faint, but recognizable (in a horizontal position...)
• September 8, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 17 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing

Observations July to August 2022

• July 31, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 17 photographed (about 5 min exposed)
• August 16, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 17 photographed (about 15 min exposed)
• August 22 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 17 photographed

Observations August 2023

• August 21 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 17 photographed; new image processing (DDT)

References

• Messier Catalogue - Messier 17: messier.seds.org/m/m017.html
• Messier 17 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_17
• Omega Nebula (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Nebula

On this Site

• Sky-Watcher Skymax-102 OTA Information (4" Maksutov-Cassegrain)
• Omegon Photography Scope 72/432 ED OTA Information (2.8" Refractor)
• Sky-Watcher StarTravel 120/600 OTA Information (4.7" Refractor, Borrowed)
• Celestron C8 OTA Information (8" Schmidt-Cassegrain)
• Unistellar eVscope Information
• Unistellar eVscope 2 - Information
• Vaonis Vespera - Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ Pronto Mount Information
• Sky-Watcher Star Discovery AZ GoTo Mount Information

Appendix: My Own Photos

M 17 - May 29, 2020		M 17 - May 31, 2020, disturbed		M 17 - Jun 1, 2020, slightly disturbed
M 17 - May 29, 2020, photo on top processed		M 17 - May 31, 2020, photo on top processed		M 17 - Jun 1, 2020, photo on top processed
M 17 - Jun 11, 2020		M 17 - Jul 9, 2020		M 17 - Aug 8, 2020
M 17 - Jun 11, 2020, photo on top processed		M 17 - Jul 9, 2020, photo on top processed		M 17 - Aug 8, 2020, photo on top processed
M 17 - Aug 23, 2020		M 17 - Aug 23, 2020
M 17 - Aug 23, 2020, photo on top processed		M 17 - Aug 23, 2020, photo on top processed
M 17 - Jul 17, 2021		M 17 -Jul 17, 2021, photo left processed		M 17 - Jul 17, 2021, photo left processed (Polarr)
M 17 - Jul 18, 2021		M 17 - Jul 18, 2021, photo left processed
M 17 - Sep 8, 2021		M 17 - Sep 8, 2021, photo left processed

eVscope 2

M 17 - Aug 22, 2022		M 17 - Aug 22, 2022, photo left processed
M 17 - Aug 21, 2023		M 17 - Aug 21, 2023, photo left processed

Vespera

M 17, Jul 31, 2022 - original (29 frames = 290 seconds)		M 17, Aug 16, 2022 - original (92 frames = 920 seconds)