VISTA’s infrared view of the Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8)
This new infrared view of the star formation region Messier 8, often called the Lagoon Nebula, was captured by the VISTA telescope at ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile. This image is a wider version of eso1001a and was created from images taken through J, H and Ks near-infrared filters, It was acquired as part of a huge survey of the central parts of the Milky Way. The field of view is about 72 by 39 arcminutes.
Credit:ESO/VVV
Acknowledgment: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit
About the Image
| Id: | eso1101d |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 5 January 2011, 12:00 |
| Related releases: | eso1101 |
| Size: | 12630 x 6954 px |
About the Object
| Name: | Lagoon Nebula, Messier 8 |
| Type: | Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation |
| Distance: | 5000 light years |
| Constellation: | Sagittarius |
| Category: | Nebulae |
Image Formats
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 18 2 18.85 |
| Position (Dec): | -24° 28' 27.18" |
| Field of view: | 71.81 x 39.54 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 29.5° right of vertical |
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
|---|---|
| Infrared K | Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy VIRCAM |
| Infrared J | Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy VIRCAM |
| Infrared H-alpha | Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy VIRCAM |