Messier 8 (M 8) - Lagoon Nebula

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 8, called Lagoon Nebula, as well as of the embedded open star cluster NGC 6530 in the constellation Sagittarius.

Introduction

According to Stoyan, the open star cluster NGC 6530 in constellation Sagittarius is actually the object that Messier described as M 8. Today, however, the galactic emission nebula NGC 6523, which Messier has described as a separate object, is regarded as M 8. Here, I follow Stoyan and describe both as M 8.

According to Stoyan, the Lagoon Nebula, being the brightest nebula, and the brightest open star cluster embedded in it "unite to the most awesome field in Sagittarius." Unfortunately, I was not able to see much of it. In France, I found, at least, the open star cluster. In the eVscope, I also found the nebula.

Map

M 8 (at the bottom) belongs to the constellation Sagittarius; the map marks further objects in Sagittarius that I observed (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 8 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 8 - Jul 9, 2020, processed		M 8 - Aug 22, 2020, processed		M 8 - Aug 23, 2020, processed
M 8 - Jul 18, 2021		M 8 - Jul 18, 2021, processed		M 8 - Jul 18, 2021, processed (Polarr)

My Own Observations

Observations Summer to Autumn 2016

• End of August (Erkerode: Heritage 100P): Probably, I already found M 8.
• Beginning of September (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Skymax-102 on GoTo mount): Found M 8 again; actually, I only saw stars, maybe some faint glow in the Lagoon Nebula...

Observations September to October 2018

• September 28, 2018 (Sumène, France: PS 72/432 auf AZ Pronto Mount): Found M 8 (Lagoon Nebula) with OC NGC 6530 close to Saturn - probably only saw the OC...

Observations September to October 2019

• September 20, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600 auf AZ Pronto Mount): M 8 (Lagoon Nebula; 24, 16, 7, 4 mm) seen very well
• September 28, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600 auf AZ Pronto Mount): M 8 (24, 10, 4 mm) beautiful at all sizes down to 7 mm; nebula and fine stars, large.
• October 3, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600 auf AZ Pronto Mount): M 8 only accessed for orientation purposes...

Observations May to August 2020

• May 29, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 8 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay
• May 31, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 8 photographed (n.o., r.f.), disturbed by trees
• June 1, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 8 photographed (n.o., r.f.), strongly disturbed by trees
• July 9, 2020 (Ulm: eVscope): M 8 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• August 5, 2020 ( (Erkerode: TS binoculars): M 8 observed in TS binoculars; nebula-like in binoculars
• August 6, 2020 ( (Erkerode: TS and LT binoculars): M 8 observed in binoculars; nebula-like in binoculars
• August 7, 2020 ( (Erkerode: TS and LT binoculars, SM-127): M 8 observed; only stars in SM-127, nebula-like in binoculars
• August 22, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 8 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• August 23, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 8 photographed (n.o., r.f.)

Observations July 2021

• July 17, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 8photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation
• July 18, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 8photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, better collimation, poorer conditions

References

• Messier Catalogue - Messier 8: messier.seds.org/m/m008.html

On this Site

• Sky-Watcher Heritage 100P Information (4" Dobson)
• 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)
• Sky-Watcher Skymax-127 OTA Information (5" Maksutov-Cassegrain)
• Unistellar eVscope Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ Pronto Mount Information
• Sky-Watcher Star Discovery AZ GoTo Mount Information
• My Binoculars

Appendix: My Own Photos

eVscope

M 8 - May 29, 2020		M 8 - May 29, 2020, processed		M 8 - May 29, 2020, processed alternatively
M 8 - May 31, 2020, disturbed		M 8 - Jun 1, 2020, strongly disturbed		M 8 - Jul 9, 2020
M 8 - May 31, 2020, processed		M 8 - Jun 1, 2020, processed		M 8 - Jul 9, 2020, processed
M 8 - Aug 22, 2020		M 8 - Aug 22, 2020		M 8 - Aug 23, 2020
M 8 - Aug 22, 2020, processed		M 8 - Aug 22, 2020, processed		M 8 - Aug 23, 2020, processed
M 8 - Jul 17, 2021		M 8 - Jul 17, 2021, processed		M 8 - Jul 17, 2021, processed (Polarr)
M 8 - Jul 18, 2021		M 8 - Jul 18, 2021, processed		M 8 - Jul 18, 2021, processed (Polarr)