Thursday, Sep 26, 2024

The nebula NGC 6523, also known as the Lagoon Nebula or Messier 8 (M8), is an emission nebula located in the constellation Sagittarius, about 4,100 to 5,200 light-years from Earth. With a diameter of approximately 110 light-years, it is an active star-forming region, containing the star cluster NGC 6530. Visible to the naked eye under dark sky conditions, the Lagoon Nebula is famous for its rosy color and detailed structure, making it a popular object for astronomical observation. Discovered in 1747 by Guillaume Le Gentil and cataloged by Charles Messier in 1764, it is of great interest for studies on star formation and the dynamics of emission nebulae. NGC 6559 is a star-forming region located at a distance of about 5000 light-years from Earth, in the constellation of Sagittarius, showing both emission (red) and reflection (bluish) regions.