Omega Nebula

The Omega Nebula (nicknamed the Swan Nebula) is an H II region in the constellation of Sagittarius. It is about 5,500 light-years away from Earth. It was discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745.^[1] Charles Messier added it to his catalog as M17 on the night of 3 June 1764.^[2] M17 has more names than any other deep-sky object. In addition to the Omega Nebula and Swan Nebula, it is also called the Horseshoe Nebula, the Checkmark Nebula and the Lobster Nebula.^[2] Omega can be seen through binoculars or a small telescope.^[3]

Omega Nebula Media

Omega Nebula (left), Eagle Nebula (center), and Sharpless 2-54 (right)
Gas and dust clouds measure about 15 light-years across.
The photograph, taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, captures a small region within M17, a hotbed of star formation. M17, also known as the Omega or Swan Nebula, is located about 5500 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius.*The wave-like pattern
Composite images obtained with the 3.58-metre NTT at La Silla Observatory
Herschel's second drawing in 1837
A sketch by Trouvelot in 1875
This video gives us a close-up view of the rose-coloured star forming region Messier 17.

References

↑ Nigel Henbest; Heather Couper, The Guide to the Galaxy (New York: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, 1994), p. 209
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Robert Thompson; Barbara Thompson, Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders: From Novice to Master Observer (Sebastopol, CA: Make:Books, 2007), p. 407
↑ Philip S. Harrington; Edward Pascuzzi, Astronomy for All Ages: Discovering the Universe Through Activities for Children and Adults (Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot Press, 2000), p. 153

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[1] Nigel Henbest; Heather Couper, The Guide to the Galaxy (New York: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, 1994), p. 209

[Thompson407-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Robert Thompson; Barbara Thompson, Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders: From Novice to Master Observer (Sebastopol, CA: Make:Books, 2007), p. 407

[3] Philip S. Harrington; Edward Pascuzzi, Astronomy for All Ages: Discovering the Universe Through Activities for Children and Adults (Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot Press, 2000), p. 153

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