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> The Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius

The Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius

author: Anglo-Australian Observatory/David Malin Images/Novapix

reference: a-neb66-18011

Image Size 300 DPI: 51 * 40 cm

This object derives its name from its looped shape reminiscent of the Greek letter when the nebula is seen in a telescope. The gas cloud is unusual in that it does not appear to be illuminated by the bright stars that commonly found in emission nebulae such as this. However, the nebulosity is very bright, so the exciting stars must be hidden within the cloud, an idea confirmed by the infrared brightness of the nebula. As well as exciting the nebula we can see, the embedded stars heat the dust that surrounds them, so M17 is one of the brightest objects in the infrared sky. It is about 6000 light years distant.

Keywords for this photo:

1993 - AAO - ASTRONOMY - DIFFUSE NEBULA - EMISSION NEBULA - M17 - NEBULA - NGC 6618 - OMEGA - POSTER - SAGITTARIUS - SIDING SPRING - STAR -