images

The Omega nebula (M17) in Sagittarius

by

R.Gendler/NAOJ/NASA/Novapix

Reference

a-neb66-18014

Date

2013-11-20

This object derives its name from its looped shape reminiscent of the Greek letter when the nebula is seen in a telescope. The gas cloud is unusual in that it does not appear to be illuminated by the bright stars that commonly found in emission nebulae such as this. However, the nebulosity is very bright, so the exciting stars must be hidden within the cloud, an idea confirmed by the infrared brightness of the nebula. It is about 6000 light years distant.