The Swan nebula (M17) in Sagittarius

This nebula, also known as the Omega or Horseshoe nebula, is one of the most prominent diffuse nebula. The best estimate for the distance to this nebula is 5700 light years. The length of the swan is about 12 light years with nebulosity extending for maybe 40 light years. There is no star cluster associated with this nebula but there are likely illuminating stars (perhaps 35 in the vicinity) hidden in the masses of nebulosity. If you move the mouse over this image, you will see all of the massive number of stars in this area.

Images taken with TEC-140 Telescope mounted on Losmandy G11 mount. Camera used was a Canon EOS20D used at prime focus.

Ten 3 minute exposures dark, flat, and bias compensated, aligned and stacked, background removed and Digitaly Developed in ImagesPlus 2.50.