This image field is a composition of the popularly known M8 ("Lagoon") emission nebula object. It is also known as Sh2-25, LBN 25, NGC 6533, Gum 72, RCW 146, and others. Embedded within is the open cluster NGC 6530 And Barnard 88, 89, 296 dark nebulae. Also in the image is the globular cluster NGC 6544 and the reflection nebula IC 4678 (ref. - Merged Reflection Nebula Catalog [M2003] 744). A fortunate bonus with this image is the conjunction of two minor planets (64) Angelina and (974) Lioba.
A separate page with information and animated GIFs of sub-frame regions of these two minor planets is on the
"Angelina and Lioba" page.
This is an active star forming region with many young stellar objects. The M8 structure is about 4,300 light years distant and NGC 6530 is about 4,100 light years distant. The M8 nebulous structure is a major feature of the SGR OB1 association. These objects, other dark nebulae, and some of the brighter stars are seen in the
annotated image.
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