The Omega Nebula is 5,700 light-years away in Sagittarius. The nebula's dimensions are about 60 light-years by 75 light-years. The total mass of the gas in this nebula is enough to form 800 stars as large as the Sun. The Omega Nebula was discovered by Swiss astronomer de Cheseaux in 1764. Charles Messier added it to his original list published in 1769.
The Omega Nebula is also known as the Swan Nebula. The nebula has a size of 46 acr-minutes, and shines at mangitude 6.0. It is an excellent object for amateur size telescopes.
This is a composite CCD image taken with an ST-8E and CFW-8 color filter wheel using a Takahashi Epsilon 250 telescope at f3.4. The CCD was binned 2x2 for all images. This image was taken at the Sunglow Ranch, located in southeastern Arizona.
M17 (NGC 6618)
Constellation: Sagittarius
RA: 18h 20m 48s Dec: -16d 11' 00" (J2000)
May 22, 2004
Image by Sid Leach
Scottsdale, Arizona
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