Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2019 November 4

                    Near the Center of the Lagoon Nebula
              Image Credit & Copyright: Zhuoqun Wu, Chilescope

   Explanation: Stars are battling gas and dust in the Lagoon Nebula but
   the photographers are winning. Also known as M8, this photogenic nebula
   is visible even without binoculars towards the constellation of the
   Archer (Sagittarius). The energetic processes of star formation create
   not only the colors but the chaos. The glowing gas results from
   high-energy starlight striking interstellar hydrogen gas and trace
   amounts of sulfur, and oxygen gases. The dark dust filaments that lace
   M8 were created in the atmospheres of cool giant stars and in the
   debris from supernovae explosions. The light from M8 we see today left
   about 5,000 years ago. Light takes about 50 years to cross this section
   of M8.

                      Tomorrow's picture: super spirals
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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                             & Michigan Tech. U.

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