Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Sagittarius (Sgr)  ·  Contains:  M 20  ·  M 21  ·  NGC 6514  ·  NGC 6531  ·  Trifid nebula
The Trifid Nebula (M8) and M21, Michael Watson
The Trifid Nebula (M8) and M21
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The Trifid Nebula (M8) and M21

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Description

The Trifid Nebula, discovered by Charles Messier on 1764 June 5, is a favourite target of amateur astronomers. It is a Hydrogen II gas cloud located about 5,400 light years from our solar system.

M21, the open cluster of stars to the upper left of the Trifid, is a young (4.5 million years old) compact cluster of 57 moderately bright stars that can easily be seen in binoculars.

Photographed at Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

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The Trifid Nebula (M8) and M21, Michael Watson