Emission nebula · Sagittarius

M17 Omega Nebula

Also known as: NGC 6618, LBN 60

mag 7.046′ across

About

M17, the Omega Nebula, is an emission nebula of magnitude 7.0 in Sagittarius, about 46′ across.

M17 is in the constellation Sagittarius.
Best evenings: around mid-August it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from south of 64° N.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesNot visible to the naked eye.
Binoculars (10×50)A faint glow from a dark site; a nebula filter helps.
Telescope (6–8 inch)A faint glow — a UHC or OIII filter and a dark sky make the difference.

For a dark country sky with no Moon. From a city, faint galaxies and nebulae can disappear completely.

Designations	M17, NGC 6618, LBN 60
Type	Emission nebula
Magnitude	7.0The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	46′the full Moon is 31′ across
Constellation	Sagittarius
Right ascension (J2000)	18h 20m 47.1s
Declination (J2000)	−16° 10′ 17″