Messier 8 (Lagoon Nebula)
Messier object number 8 (NGC 6523) is a diffuse nebula in the constellation of Archer.
It is also known as the Lagoon Nebula.
It is approximately 4000 lightyears away from earth.
The lagoon nebula is a well-known gas nebula. Visible only with a telescope, its real beauty becomes obvious on long-exposed photographs. It was discovered by Giovanni Hodierna in the 17th century and subsequently included in his catalogue by Charles Messier. The nebula is a giant area of star forming. New stars are formed from the gas that is illuminated by these newly born stars.