Omega Nebula, Swan Nebula, Horseshoe Nebula (Messier 17)

Messier 17
Messier 17: Omega Nebula in Sagittarius; Celestron RASA 11" f/2.22; ZWO ASI6200 Pro; Tentlingen; © 2020 Peter Kocher [33]
Messier 17
Messier 17: Swan Nebula in Sagittarius; TEC APO 140 ED refractor f=980 mm; SBIG STT-8300 SG; Alt-6 ADN mount; R 125 min; G 150 min; B 155 min; -40 °C; Farm Kiripotib, Namibia; © 1.-12. Juli 2013 Hansjörg Wälchli [46]
Messier 17
Messier 17: Omega or Swan Nebula in constellation Sagittarius; TEC 140 ED F/7 APO-Refractor f/7; TEC Fieldflattener; SBIG STT-8300M -40 °C; Alt 6 ADN; 56 x 5 min Astrodon-RGB-Filter; Namibia, Kiripotib Astrofarm, 1350 m AMSL; © 2./12. 7. 2013 Manuel Jung [45]
Messier 17
Messier 17: Omega Nebula in Sagittarius; FFC 4.0/760 auf Fuji SHG 400 hyp; © 1992 Beat Kohler [35]

History

The diffuse nebula Messier 17 was probably first discovered by the Swiss astronomer de Cheseaux in 1764. Independently of this, Charles Messier discovered this nebula again in June of the same year. Due to its shape, the nebula received numerous names such as Swan Nebula, Omega Mebula, Horseshoe Nebula but also Tobacco Pipe.

Physical Properties

Messier 17
Messier 17: M17 (left) with IC 4706 (top right). Excerpts from the STScI Digitized Sky Survey and Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) [147]

In contrast to the neighboring M 8, for example, this nebula does not contain a conspicuous star cluster, but it is interspersed with several stars from ninth size class over the entire field. It is possible that the main stars that stimulate the nebula to shine are obscured by dense masses of gas. According to a study from 1965, at least 35 stars belong to this nebula complex, which has enough mass to produce around 800 sun-like stars. Like many other nebulae, this one is also a source of strong radio emissions. According to distance estimates, the nebula is about 5700 light years away. According to this measurement, the diameter of the brightest part of the nebula, which forms the swan's body, is about 12 light years. Together with the weaker outer regions of the nebula, it has an extension of about 40 light years. [4]

IC 4706 a small, faint nebula around two stars of the ninth magnitude, about 20 arc minutes to the northwest of M 17. In Figure 3 (top picture) the two stars can be seen with the nebula at the top right. A section of the same location from the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) (lower picture) shows that this star-rich area is criss-crossed by dark clouds. One of them is in front of M 17. Thus IC 4706 is the same nebula as M 17.

Revised+Historic NGC/IC Version 22/9, © 2022 Dr. Wolfgang Steinicke [277]
Name RA Dec Type bMag vMag B-V SB Dim PA z D(z) MD Dreyer Description Identification, Remarks
NGC 6618 18 20 47.0 -16 10 18 EN+OCL 6.0 20 × 15 1.700 !!!, B, eL, eiF, 2 hooked M 17, OCL 44, LBN 60, Sh2-45, Omega nebula
IC 4706 18 19 36.0 -16 01 54 EN 5 × 5 1.700 * 9.2 in S neb, conn with M 17 CED 160A

Finder Chart

M 17 is located in the constellation Sagittarius. If you imagine a line from γ Scuti (4.7 mag) to μ Sagittarii (3.86 mag) and position the central Telrad circle on it as in the map below, M 17 should already be visible in a large field eyepiece. The best time to observe is June to August.

Finder Chart Omega Nebula, Swan Nebula, Horseshoe Nebula (Messier 17)
Omega Nebula, Swan Nebula, Horseshoe Nebula (Messier 17) in constellation Sagittarius. Charts created using SkySafari 6 Pro and STScI Digitized Sky Survey. Limiting magnitudes: Constellation chart ~6.5 mag, DSS2 close-ups ~20 mag. [149, 160]

More Objects Nearby (±15°)

References