Date Posted: 10/2/2022
Date Taken: Four nights, from 5/29/2022 thru 6/1/2022
Scope: Planewave CDK 12.5 f/8, 2541mm
Camera: SBIG STL-11000 with Astrodon Tru-Balance E-Series Gen2 filters
Temp: -10C, -15C
Mount: Losmandy Titan
Guiding: On-axis via ONAG-XM and SX UltraStar at 2541mm. FocusLock real-time focus for focusing.
Exposure: LRGB, 330:140:150:145. Luminance 10min unbinned; RGB 5min binned 2x2.

Calibrated and Stacked with CCDStack2 and MaximDL. Processed with CS4.

Messier 17, the Omega Nebula, one of the brightest and largest star-forming regions in out galaxy, is about 5500 light years away. In addition to NGC6618, the cluster of brighter stars overlaying the nebula, it hosts an estimated 800 young stars, but most are hidden in visible wavelengths within the nebula complex. The clump at lower right is actually two additional nebula, cataloged as IC4706 and IC4707.

M17 is also known as the Swan Nebula, Checkmark Nebula, Lobster Nebula, or Horseshoe Nebula. I don't see any of those things. In this particular orientation, I see an alien head with wide-set eyes, looking down to the right, towards IC4706/4707.