Messier 16 and Messier 17
Constellation: Serpens and Sagittarius
This image depicts a region straddling the constellations of Serpens and Sagittarius, that are rich in celestial objects. In contains the bright Messier 16 (top) and Messier 17 (bottom). Link to interactive sky chart.
Messier 16 (NGC 6611), also known as the Eagle nebula, is a star-forming region in the constellation of Serpens that contains a young open star cluster. The Eagle nebula is famous for the Pillars of Creation, also imaged by JWST (link). The Eagle nebula is part of a diffuse emission nebula (IC 4703) and the active star-forming region is about 5’700 Ly from Earth.
Messier 17 (NGC 6618), also known as the Omega nebula, is an H II region in the constellation of Sagittarius. It is considered one of the brightest and most massive star-forming regions of our galaxy. Messier 17 is located between 5’000 and 6’000 Ly from Earth.
Dates:
Data acquired remotely between July and August 2023 using Martin’s equipment. The image consists of three panes.
His telescope is located in Australia (Observatory: Heaven’s second mirror, NSW).
Colour palette is HSO.
Telescope & Mount:
SharpStar 140mm (F4.8) on a Software Bisque Paramount ME II mount.
Imaging:
Camera: SBIG STXL16200, FW8G
Data:
Nebula:
Antlia Ha: 63x600s
Antlia O3: 91x600s
Antlia S2: 96x600s
Total integration time: 41h 40′