Messier 17 (M17)

Common Name: Omega Nebula

Also Known as: NGC 6618, Swan Nebula, Lobster Nebula, Horseshoe Nebula, Checkmark Nebula, Sharpless 45 (Sh2-45)

Object Type: Emission Nebula

Constellation: Sagittarius

Distance from Earth: 5,000 – 6,000 light years

Apparent Magnitude: 6.0

Coordinates: RA 18H 20M 26S DEC -16 deg 10 min36 sec

Actual Size: 32 light years in diameter.

Apparent Dimensions: 20 arc-minutes x 15 arc minutes (nebula).

Discovered by: The Omega Nebula was discovered by the Swiss astronomer Jean-Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745.
It is one the six nebulae listed in his catalogue. It was independently discovered by Charles Messier in 1764 who described it as a ’train of light without stars’.

Description: The Omega Nebula is one of the brightest star-forming nebulae of the Milky Way.
With a total mass of roughly 800 solar masses, M17 is also one of the most massive H II regions of our galaxy.
The nebula occupies an area roughly 15 light years in diameter and is part of a larger cloud, which is about 40 light years in diameter. M17 is a famous star forming nebula.
It’s name comes from that of the Greek capital Omega. There are more than 1,000 stars in the process of forming.
Messier 17 has a similar geometry to Messier 42, the famous Orion Nebula, but unlike M42, which appears face-on, M17 is seen edge-on.
The Omega Nebula is considerably richer in star-forming material and young stars than M42, and it is also much more distant.

Click Below Image(s) for Full Size:

The Omega Nebula is just on the limit of naked eye detection in good conditions, with clear, dark skies and no light pollution. It is best observed in low-powered telescopes and binoculars. It lies in the same binocular field of view as Messier 16 and Messier 18, a faint open cluster in Sagittarius.
M17 is best viewed in low powered binoculars and telescopes.


The best time to view M17 is June-August.

Platesolve

M17 Nebula

Imaging Details
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