This version of messier 20, the Trifid Nebula, was just a quick target to shoot at the end of our last night imaging at the Rooikloof farm in Sutherland, South Africa, back in April 2014. Exceptionally dark and clear skies in the Karoo desert make for lots of data in a short amount of time. I'm way too happy with this image despite the short exposure time. Dark skies matter. Love the desert!

Image details:

7x 300s ISO800, 35minutes total exposure time
Canon 60Da
Orion 8" Astrograph, f/3.9
Celestron CGEM DX mount
Orion SSAG + 50mm guide scope

Data acquired with BackyardEOS
Guiding with PhD
Reduced and post-processed with PixInsight