The Lagoon Nebula (catalogued as Messier 8 or M8, and as NGC 6523) is a giant interstellar cloud in the constellation Sagittarius. It is classified as an emission nebula and as a H II region.

The Lagoon Nebula was discovered by Giovanni Hodierna before 1654 and is one of only two star-forming nebulae faintly visible to the naked eye from mid-northern latitudes. Seen with binoculars, it appears as a distinct oval cloudlike patch with a definite core. A fragile star cluster appears superimposed on it.

Imaging telescopes or lenses: Officina Stellare Veloce RH200
Imaging cameras: QSI 683WSG
Mounts: Skywatcher N-EQ6 pro
Guiding telescopes or lenses: Officina Stellare Veloce RH200
Guiding cameras: Starlight Xpress Lodestar
Software: PixInsight, Maxim DL
Filters: Astrodon Ha 3nm Tru-Balance, Astrodon OIII
Accessories: Finger Lake Instruments Atlas Focuser
Dates: Aug. 26, 2014, Aug. 29, 2014
Locations: Home
Frames: 
Astronomik Ha: 4×600″ bin 1×1
Astrodon OIII: 1×600″ bin 1×1
Integration: 0.8 hours

Author: Davide Manca
AstroPhotography of the day by SPONLI 02 Sep 2014