The Lagoon nebula is located in the constellation Sagittarius, it is an emission nebula with the catalogue desigantion Messier 8. The other prominent feature in the region is the Trifid nebula with the catalogue designation Messier 20. These nebulae can be seen from the northern hemisphere low on the horizon during Summer. The nebulae are both about 4'100 light years away from the solar system. 

The Lagoon nebula is one of the brightest Nebulae in the sky and can be seen with the naked eye under dark skies. It is like the Orion nebula an active star forming region in the milkyway. 

The Trifid nebula is a combination of a reflection nebula, an emission nebula and dark nebulae in the center.