M17 - The Swan Nebula/Omega Nebula
Sun Jun 22 2025
I’m back! We’ve finally had a nice run of clear skies lately here in Kentucky and looks like we have a few more clear nights ahead. I decided to switch back to my larger scope to get some nice close up views. I have a couple more projects in the works so there’ll be more to come on that soon.
About this object
- Type
- Nebula
- Constellation
- Sagittarius (the Archer)
- Distance
- ~5,500 light-years
- Apparent magnitude
- 7
- Apparent size
- 12.6′
- Also known as
- Swan Nebula, Omega Nebula
- Catalogue designations
- M 17, NGC 6618
The Swan Nebula (M17), also called the Omega Nebula, is one of the brightest and most massive star-forming regions in the galaxy. Its brightest section traces the graceful shape of a swan floating on water, giving the nebula its popular name.
Acquisition
- Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 36 mm: 37 × 3m (1h 51m)
- Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 36 mm: 38 × 3m (1h 54m)
- Total integration: 3h 45m
Equipment
- Telescope / Lens: Celestron C8
- Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
- Mount: Celestron CGEM II
- Filters: Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 36 mm, Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 36 mm
- Guiding scope: SVBony SV106 60mm Guide Scope
- Guiding camera: ZWO ASI174MM Mini
- Accessories: Celestron 0.63X SCT Reducer (94175), ZWO EFW 7 x 36mm
- Software: Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight
Astrophotography by David Joyce, AstroDavido.