An easy target for the beginner, even from a light polluted area.
The Lagoon Nebula is located just "above" the classic teapot shape of Sagittarius. It's nebulosity is apparent even in a 50mm finder. The "lagoon" - an area of dark nebulosity can be made out between areas of bright emission nebulosity. I have viewed it from my light polluted backyard in Newcastle through an ED80 and an 8" Dob - the Dob gives a much nicer view of course.
The photo is a 1 minute shot through an ED80 - and approximates the EP view (with UHC filter) from the 8" Dob from my location.
have you just taken that tonight, because there seems to be a lot of haze in the air over wallsend/newcastle, its very bright with stray light. Top image for the conditions!!
Not tonight Houghy - conditions were dreadful - Too dreadful to bother manhandling the G11 outside! Sat outside with the Dob for a bit - the sky/haze glow was as bad as I've seen it - new moon of course!
Eric - in my 8" f/6 I think that view approximates my 32mm TV Plossl.