images

The Omega Nebula (M17) in the constellation Sagittarius

by

J.Lodriguss/Novapix

Reference

a-neb66-18003

Date

2007-01-06

M17, The Omega Nebula or Swan Nebula, is located at a distance of about 5,000 light years from the Earth in the Constellation of Sagittarius. It was discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745. The color of the nebula comes from the emission of light in the red portion of the spectrum by hydrogen gas that is ionized by the hot young stars that are forming inside the nebula.