Lagoon Nebula (M8)

Lagoon Nebula (M8) is a emission nebula in the constellation Sagittarius, with an apparent magnitude of 6.0. It is about 4,100 light-years away.

Finder chart for the Lagoon Nebula (M8) in the constellation Sagittarius
the Lagoon Nebula (M8) (circled) in Sagittarius. Pink symbols mark Messier objects.
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Facts

CatalogMessier 8 (M8)
Typeemission nebula
ConstellationSagittarius
Apparent magnitude6.0
Distanceabout 4,100 light-years
Right ascension18 h 3.6 min
Declination−24.39°
Best monthAugust (at about 9 pm)

Sources: star positions, magnitudes and colors from the Yale Bright Star Catalogue; constellation boundaries and star names from the IAU; areas and distances from Wikidata; stick figures by M. van der Sluys. How the maps are made.

How to find the Lagoon Nebula

The Lagoon Nebula is in Sagittarius. From 40° N it is highest in the south in August evenings, about 26° up. From 35° S it reaches about 79° in the north. Binoculars show it under a dark sky; a small telescope shows more detail.

Sagittarius constellation →

Other Messier objects in Sagittarius

Omega Nebula (M17)Messier 18 (M18)Trifid Nebula (M20)Messier 21 (M21)Messier 22 (M22)Messier 23 (M23)Sagittarius Star Cloud (M24)Messier 25 (M25)Messier 28 (M28)Messier 54 (M54)Messier 55 (M55)Messier 69 (M69)Messier 70 (M70)Messier 75 (M75)

The Messier catalog →

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