Cosmic Context: The Lagoon Nebula

Above the Fray

I have a list of possible things to share with the couple of dozen subscribers here so far, and this one was NOT on that list. But then, I stepped out onto the porch last night around 9:00.

We have moved across the county (some 13 crow miles from Goose Creek) to a sky-exposed landscape, visible from our wide porch, but especially if you bother to step out into the yard. And if it is moonless with low humidity, the night-sky expanse south to north is stunning.

I went back inside to fetch the 8 x 40 binoculars for a better view of the familiar constellations, star clusters, binaries and Milky Way.

The latter is not always prominent until much later in the evening of the summer sky. But the smear of light created by the edge-on disk of our own home galaxy was evident by my usual bedtime, and I scanned it overhead in a typical pass that always makes me gasp in awe.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done this over the years. But last night, as I was panning from the horizon “up” the Milky Way, I did a double take. Wait. Go back. What’s that!?

Image via ESO/VPHAS+ team/Messier-Objects.com.

Obvious when you pay attention, this was a discrete galaxy or stellar cloud of gas or something that must have a name. And now, having that name, another small piece of Cosmic Reality becomes a named and known part of my PLACE within it.

I have since learned that this “barely visible with the naked eye” object that I had never made note of in my 72 years is called the Lagoon nebula, or Messier 8. You can read about exactly what it is and how to find it at Earth And Sky.

It will be visible for a while longer, and the nights now are less humid. They are chilly but not yet cold. Do yourselves a favor: go out (with any kids you can find) and view this heavenly thing.

• HINT: if you have a laser pointer, you can help others find it by pointing it towards the nebular.

• HINT: wait a few minutes after walking outdoors to let your eyes adjust.

• HINT: take a look at Sky Safari app as an aid in your sky exploration. Also bookmark the web version of Stellarium. Amazing tool!

• HINT: strap your binocs to a tripod with a shoelace, and take a long, steady look at the heavens this way. Makes all the difference. (Take a piece of scrap 1 x 3 and drill a hole a bit smaller than the tripod mounting screw. Fix the board to the trip, strap the binocs to the board. Bingo!)

I just had to let you know. These days, to be taken out of Earth’s discord, dysfunction and disorder to find the rest of the cosmos unruffled, steadfast, reeling overhead and glorious is a small reprieve from the human predicament. I just had to share.