Lagoon Nebula

A bright stellar nursery in Sagittarius

TypeNebula ConstellationSagittarius SeasonSummer PaletteNatural color Integration timeNot recorded Captured2014

A glowing summer field with the open cluster NGC 6530 embedded in the surrounding emission.

What am I looking at?: The Lagoon Nebula is a large star-forming cloud with a dark lane dividing the glowing gas, visible even in binoculars.
How far away is it?: About 4,100 light-years away.
Where is it in the sky?: In Sagittarius, above the Teapot asterism in summer.
Why does it matter?: One of the brightest emission nebulae and a rewarding target for both visual and photographic observers.
When is the best time to photograph it?: Summer when Sagittarius is well placed.

Target Planner

When to image this target

Nebula in Sagittarius; best planned for June through August from New Jersey.

Best season June through August

Summer targets often improve later at night as the Milky Way climbs higher.

Good from NJ Late spring through early autumn

Assumes a New Jersey backyard horizon and evening imaging.

Object type Nebula

Emission nebulae are good candidates for narrowband filters; reflection nebulae prefer darker skies.

Constellation Sagittarius

M8 is listed here in Sagittarius.

Moon tolerance Narrowband can tolerate some moonlight.

Current frame: Natural color / Broadband RGB.

Live altitude, moon, and filter guidance

Planning from Sewell, NJ

Check your location Enter ZIP in planner

Use the full planner to enter a ZIP code, choose a date, and compare the target from your sky.

Planning values are approximate and update in your browser.

Planning site Sewell, NJ 39.7700, -75.1400

Current altitude ...

Based on the current time.

Green marks usable dark-sky altitude.

Next transit ...

Next upper transit.

Rise / set ...

Approximate horizon crossing.

Moon now ...

Moon phase and altitude.

My gear vs this target

32m Total integration

Integration Channels

Channel	Frames	Time
Integration	21 x 90s	32m

Equipment used: From my current rig
Mount: iOptron CEM60
Telescope: Explore Scientific FCD100 127mm Carbon Fiber Triplet APO
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
Filters: Chroma 36mm Ha, OIII, SII, and LRGB (ZWO EFW 7×36mm)
Focuser / rotator: MoonLite NiteCrawler
Reducer: Starizona Apex ED 0.65×
Guiding: ZWO off-axis guider + ASI290MM Mini
Control / power: PrimaLuceLab Eagle 4S, Powerwerx PSU, Bioenno field battery, and MEGAbox