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M8 - NGC 6523 - Lagoon Nebula 
Sagittarius
Amador Station, California
June 2009
ST-2000XM, LRGB 5 minute subs
FS-128 (ag, ST-4)

M8 is a diffuse nebula visible to the naked eye from dark areas.  In the small telescope it is seen as a fine irregular nebulosity enveloping the scattered open cluster NGC6530.  Discovery is generally credited to LeGentril in 1747 although Flamsteed referenced it as early as 1680 (Burnham).

Image G2V color balanced - acquired through the Sacramento light dome.