Emission nebula · Sagittarius

M8 Lagoon Nebula

Also known as: NGC 6523, NGC 6533, LBN 25

mag 5.890′ across

About

M8, the Lagoon Nebula, is an emission nebula of magnitude 5.8 in Sagittarius, about 90′ across.

M8 is in the constellation Sagittarius.
Best evenings: around early 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 56° N.
Teapot: 6° above the spout: a glow with a cluster in it, visible to the eye from a dark site.

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.

EyesA bright patch in the Milky Way above the spout of the Sagittarius “teapot”.
Binoculars (10×50)A glowing cloud with a star cluster on one side.
Telescope (6–8 inch)A bright nebula split by a dark lane; a UHC filter brings out more.

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

Designations	M8, NGC 6523, NGC 6533, LBN 25
Type	Emission nebula
Magnitude	5.8The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	90′ × 60′the full Moon is 31′ across
Constellation	Sagittarius
Right ascension (J2000)	18h 03m 41.3s
Declination (J2000)	−24° 22′ 49″