NGC 6523
One of the most popular objects in astrophotography is M8 the Lagoon Nebula. The nebula is generally photographed relatively wide field. NGC 6523 is the designation for both M8 and a star cluster located within the nebula. The nebula itself is a very bright ionized hydrogen region 4100 light years away in the constellation Sagittarius. The nebula is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.
This close up image takes us into the center of the Lagoon Nebula and allows a dramatic view of the swirling gas structures.
Imaged in LRGB on our Planewave CDK 700 at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile.
Image acquisition and processing: Mike Selby