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Omega Nebula facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
VST image of the spectacular star-forming region Messier 17 (Omega Nebula)
Omega Nebula

The Omega Nebula (nicknamed the Swan Nebula) is an H II region in the constellation of Sagittarius. It is about 5,500 light-years away from Earth. It was discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745. Charles Messier added it to his catalog as M17 on the night of 3 June 1764. M17 has more names than any other deep-sky object. In addition to the Omega Nebula and Swan Nebula, it is also called the Horseshoe Nebula, the Checkmark Nebula and the Lobster Nebula. Omega can be seen through binoculars or a small telescope.

Images for kids

  • The VST captures three spectacular nebulae in one image

    Omega Nebula (left), Eagle Nebula (center), and Sharpless 2-54 (right).

  • The star formation region Messier 17

    Gas and dust clouds measure about 15 light-years across.

  • Omega Nebula

    Section of the nebula.

  • ESO-The Omega Nebula-phot-25a-09-fullres

    Composite images obtained with the 3.58-metre NTT at La Silla Observatory.

  • TPSMV8P284 Fig 1

    A drawing of the nebula by John Herschel in 1833.

  • TPSMV8P285 Fig 2

    Herschel's second drawing in 1837.

  • TPSMV8P294 Fig 7

    A sketch by Trouvelot in 1875.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Nebulosa Omega para niños

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Omega Nebula Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.