Swan Nebula (M17)
This FLAMINGOS-2 near-infrared image details part of the magnificent Swan Nebula (M17), where ultraviolet radiation streaming from young hot stars sculpts a dense region of dust and gas into myriad fanciful forms. M17 lies some 5,200 light-years distant in the constellation Sagittarius and is one of the most massive and luminous star-forming region's in our Galaxy. It is also one of the most studied.
Credit:International Gemini Observatory/AURA
About the Image
| Id: | gemini1306a |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | Aug. 6, 2013 |
| Related releases: | gemini1306 |
| Size: | 1842 x 1331 px |
About the Object
| Name: | M17, Swan Nebula |
| Distance: | 5500 light years |
| Constellation: | Sagittarius |
| Category: | Nebulae |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 18 20 33.17 |
| Position (Dec): | -16° 8' 15.42" |
| Field of view: | 5.49 x 3.97 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 179.9° right of vertical |
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colors & filters
| Band | Wave-length | Tele-scope |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared Y | 1.02 μm | Gemini South FLAMINGOS 2 |
| Infrared J | 1.25 μm | Gemini South FLAMINGOS 2 |
| Infrared K | 2.2 μm | Gemini South FLAMINGOS 2 |