Object: M17 (NGC 6618) Swan Nebula in Sagittarius
Light-years: 5,700 Magnitude: ~ 6.0
Date/Time: 8/26/2000 @ 10:50 CDT
Comments: first color image taken with the broadband nebula filter to increase sky contrast.
This giant molecular cloud is one of the largest and most massive objects known in the Milky Way.
Also called the Horseshoe or Lobster Nebula. The color is reddish with graduation to pink.
Brightest regions are white. The nebula obscures a small cluster of 35 stars imbedded within.
Exposure: 11 mins (22 x 30sec), broadband nebula filter