Omega Nebula

The Omega Nebula is a bright emission nebula and star-forming region in Sagittarius, also known as Messier 17 and the Swan Nebula.

H II region: A region of ionized hydrogen surrounding hot, young stars. The Omega Nebula is an H II region whose hydrogen glows under ultraviolet radiation.
Messier 17: The catalog designation for the Omega Nebula, listed in Charles Messier's catalogue of nebulae and star clusters. This is the nebula's widely used astronomical catalog name.
Star formation: The process by which dense regions of gas and dust collapse to form stars. The Omega Nebula is an active site where new stars are being born.
Infrared astronomy: The study of celestial objects using infrared radiation. Infrared observations reveal stars and dust hidden by the nebula's visible-light obscuration.
Charles Messier: An eighteenth-century French astronomer known for compiling a catalogue of nebulae and star clusters. Messier included this nebula as the seventeenth entry in his catalogue.
Emission nebula: A cloud of gas that emits light after excitation by nearby energy sources. Its characteristic visible glow places the Omega Nebula in this nebular class.
Swan Nebula: A common name for the Omega Nebula, inspired by its swan-like appearance in some views. The nebula's curved luminous structure gives rise to this alternative name.
Interstellar dust: Microscopic solid particles dispersed through the space between stars. Dust in and around the nebula absorbs and scatters starlight, shaping its appearance.
Radio astronomy: The study of celestial objects through radio-frequency emissions. Radio measurements trace cold gas and ionized material within the star-forming complex.
Messier catalogue: A catalogue of nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies compiled by Charles Messier. Its M17 designation comes from this influential catalogue.

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Lagoon NebulaRelated: This nearby massive star-forming cloud provides another view of active nebular regions.