Monster Survey Telescope Dives Deep Into the Lagoon
Monster Survey Telescope Dives Deep Into the Lagoon
Jan 22, 2014 06:00 AM ET // by Ian O'Neill
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The VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at ESO's Paranal Observatory in Chile captured this incredibly detailed
observation of the Lagoon Nebula, 5,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius.
ESO/VPHAS+ team[/font]
The VLT Survey Telescope (VST), located at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) high in the Atacama Desert in Chile, has captured a jaw-dropping view of the Lagoon Nebula -- a star-forming interstellar cloud incubating baby stars enshrouded in knots of gas and dust.
Although this new observation has some incredible detail, it may be surprising to learn that the Lagoon Nebula wasn't actually the focus of the VST's attention; the nebula just happened to be in shot as the powerful observatory surveyed the sky. This is just a sneak peek of the "treasure trove" the 2.6 meter VST telescope is about to unleash on the world.
The Lagoon Nebula, also known as Messier 8, is a giant cloud some 100 light-years wide located approximately 5,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius. This is a fascinating object in itself and the ESO has created a fully 'zoomable' version of the object for our viewing pleasure.
This image is a part of the ongoing VPHAS+, a survey of a huge swathe of the Milky Way. Capturing celestial objects in visible light, VPHAS+ is being complemented by other surveys, including six infrared surveys being carried out by the VISTA survey telescope.
More:
http://news.discovery.com/space/astronomy/very-large-telescope-dives-deep-into-the-lagoon-big-pic-140122.htm#mkcpgn=rssnws1
= new reply since forum marked as read
However, as a frustrated amateur astronomer -- Michigan isn't the best place for such things-- my favorite star birth nebula is the one easiest to see.
Point your telescope towards M42, the Orion Nebula.
It is easily seen naked eye. In a wide field scope, it is astounding. It's fun to try to split the Trapezium (to visually see through the scope), the four stars forming the center of the nebula.
R&K
Love astronomy posts.
On edit: unfortunately Orion is a winter constellation in the northern hemisphere. Lots of cold and snow and clouds here. I never take my scope out in the snow. So getting to see M42 is rare.