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Checkmark Nebula

Nebula in Sagittarius · 5,500 light-years

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TypeNebula
ConstellationSagittarius
Distance5,500 light-years
Apparent magnitude7
Apparent size12.6′ (arc-minutes)
Also known asM17 · NGC 6618 · Lobster Nebula · Swan Nebula · omega Nebula
Messier 17, popularly known as the Checkmark Nebula, is a nebula (also catalogued as NGC 6618) in Sagittarius — a glowing cloud of interstellar gas and dust. It was recorded by Charles Messier in his famous catalogue of 110 deep-sky objects. It spans roughly 12.6 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 7, it is an easy target for binoculars and small telescopes.

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