NGC 6559 in Sagittarius

NGC 6559 is a star-forming region in the constellation Sagittarius, located in the immediate vicinity of the well-known Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8). Together, they form a large, continuous star-forming region within the Sagittarius-Carina Arm of the Milky Way.

The main source of ionization in the glowing H II region is the star HD 165921, a B1V-type star whose intense UV radiation excites the surrounding gas, making it glow. In the image it is visible in the center of the largest HII-Region. Below and to the left of this prominent star, a dark nebula winds through the field, known as the „Chinese Dragon.“
In the lower left portion of the largest HII-Region, the reflection nebula IC 4685 is visible. Along its edges, the so-called Bright Rims can be seen – bright nebular ridges shaped by the radiation pressure from HD 165921.
Another section of the image shows the reflection nebula IC 1274.
The image was taken at the Kiripotib Astro Farm in Namibia. The 157 individual exposures were drizzled, allowing for the enhancement of fine details despite the telescope’s relatively small aperture compared to semi-professional optics. The session took part over several nights between 2nd and 5th of July 2024.