Stellar cluster and star-forming region M 17 (annotated)

Three-colour composite of the sky region of M 17, a H II region excited by a cluster of young, hot stars. A large silhouette disc has been found to the south-west of the cluster centre. The present image was obtained with the ISAAC near-infrared instrument at the 8.2-m VLT ANTU telescope at Paranal. The orientation and the scale at the distance of M 17 (7,000 light-years) are indicated, and the main regions are identified.