M17 - The Swan Nebula

 

     M17 has more names than any other object I've come across.  Among them are the Omega, Horseshoe, and Swan but Swan always stands out to me visually from the shape when oriented properly.  This bright emission nebula is found in the constellation Sagittarius among an open cluster of about 40 stars.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Optics Camera Film Exposure Mount/Guiding Scanning Processing Location Date
10" SCT @ f7.5 Nikon F PPF400 2 x 60 min G11 with ST4 on GEG Minolta Scan Dual II Levels/Curves in PS; Registered and stacked in Registar; grain smoothed in BGSmooth Inyokern, CA 8/9/02

Comments: Guided well.