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Stellar cluster and star-forming region M 17 (annotated)

Three-colour composite of the sky region of M 17, a H II region excited by a cluster of young, hot stars. A large silhouette disc has been found to the south-west of the cluster centre. The present image was obtained with the ISAAC near-infrared instrument at the 8.2-m VLT ANTU telescope at Paranal. The orientation and the scale at the distance of M 17 (7,000 light-years) are indicated, and the main regions are identified.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0416b
Type:Observation
Release date:12 May 2004
Related releases:eso0416
Size:773 x 772 px

About the Object

Name:Messier 17, Omega Nebula
Type:• Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation
• Milky Way : Nebula : Appearance : Emission : H II Region
• Star Clusters
Distance:5500 light years

Coordinates

Position (RA):275.108067 °
Position (Dec):-16.177179 °

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Infrared
J
1.25 μm Very Large Telescope
ISAAC
Infrared
H
1.6 μm Very Large Telescope
ISAAC
Infrared
K
2.2 μm Very Large Telescope
ISAAC

Images

Large JPEG
269.9 KB
Screensize JPEG
308.4 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
310.3 KB
1280x1024
435.5 KB
1600x1200
547.8 KB
2048x1536
747.8 KB

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