Lagoon Nebula

Located approximately 4,000 light years away, in the constellation of Sagittarius, the Lagoon Nebula is a gas cluster that is about 33 light years across. Nearby stars ionize gas particles, and recombining atoms emit light, some of which is visible with the unaided eye on clear dark nights. Various interstellar dust clouds block some of this light and gives the Nebula it’s “lagoon” shape, hence the name Lagoon Nebula.