Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Sagittarius (Sgr)  ·  Contains:  Checkmark Nebula  ·  IC 4706  ·  IC 4707  ·  Lobster Nebula  ·  M 17  ·  NGC 6618  ·  Sh2-45  ·  Swan Nebula  ·  omega Nebula
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Messier 17, Prabhakaran
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Messier 17

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Messier 17, Prabhakaran
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Messier 17

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In the depths of the dark clouds of dust and molecular gas known as Messier 17, stars continue to form. The similarity to the Greek letter capital Omega gives the molecular cloud its popular name, but the nebula is also known as the Swan Nebula, the Horseshoe Nebula. The darkness of these molecular clouds results from background starlight being absorbed by thick carbon-based smoke-sized dust. Stellar winds and energetic light from hot, massive stars formed from M17's stock of cosmic gas and dust have slowly carved away at the remaining interstellar material producing the cavernous appearance and undulating shapes. This picture was captured in narrowband, it is easily visible with binoculars towards the constellation of Sagittarius, lies 5000 light-years away, and spans 15 light-years across.

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Messier 17, Prabhakaran