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.

M 8 / NGC 6530
Size: 20' x 10' / 7' (Stoyan)
Distance: 4,300 light years (Stoyan)
Rating: **** (Stoyan).

 

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

Observations September to October 2018

Observations September to October 2019

Observations May to August 2020

Observations July 2021

 

References

On this Site


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)