M20 - The Trifid Nebula
The Trifid Nebula (M20), located in the constellation Sagittarius, is so named because of its three dark rifts. The bright multiple star system in the center of the Trifid is HN 40 and is possibly the source of illumination of the nebula. This nebula is estimated to be 2000 light years distant. The open star cluster at the lower right of the image is M21. Additional images and information about this nebula can be found at the Messier Index - M20 and at the Web Nebulae - Trifid Nebula. For more information about the star cluser M21, see the Messier Index - M21. This image is a 30-minute exposure at the prime focus of a 16" f/4.5 Newtonian using hypered Fuji 800 film taken on 29 July 1997. A close-up of the M20 region of the image is shown below.
Also see my CCD image of this nebula below and at: M20 - The Trifid Nebula.
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