The Lagoon Nebula (M8) is a magnificent object easily seen by the naked eye as a large hazy patch in the sky. The Lagoon is a bright emission nebula with an embedded open cluster. The cluster of young stars is heating the nebula's gas and causing it to emit light.

With binoculars you'll see the dark lane that divides the nebula's brighter regions and gives this object its name. A small telescope begins to reveal this nebula's intricate folds and dark regions amidst brighter areas.

Dark Bok globules in the nebula mark dense clouds of gas and dust. These are sites of star birth. The Trifid Nebula lies close to M8 and both nebulae can be seen in the same binocular field of view.

Click here to see if this object is visible in your sky tonight.