Contains:  Solar system body or event

Image of the day 04/07/2018

Mars Between Nebulas (M8 & M20), Sebastian Voltmer

Mars Between Nebulas (M8 & M20)

Image of the day 04/07/2018

Mars Between Nebulas (M8 & M20), Sebastian Voltmer

Mars Between Nebulas (M8 & M20)

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What's that bright red spot between the Lagoon and Trifid Nebulas? Mars. This gorgeous color deep-sky photograph captured the red planet passing between the two notable nebulas -- cataloged by the 18th century cosmic registrar Charles Messier as M8 and M20. M20 (upper right of center), the Trifid Nebula, presents a striking contrast in red/blue colors and dark dust lanes. Across the bottom right is the expansive, alluring red glow of M8, the Lagoon Nebula. Both nebulae are a few thousand light-years distant. By comparison, temporarily situated between them both, is the dominant "local" celestial beacon Mars. The red planet was only about 10 light-minutes away.

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Mars Between Nebulas (M8 & M20), Sebastian Voltmer