How to find M17
This guide uses bright stars first, then narrows the field for a telescope or binocular finder. Use Sagittarius as the main sky landmark.
Follow the route from one recognizable star to the next until you reach M17.
M17 is 36° above the horizon toward the Southwest.
Use Sagittarius as the large-scale sky landmark before following the numbered route.
field star · mag 5.8
From Nunki, move about 6.4° toward the north-west until you reach field star · mag 5.8.
field star · mag 6.2
From field star · mag 5.8, move about 4.2° toward the north-west until you reach field star · mag 6.2.
