Trifid Nebula (M20) and Webb's Cross Open Star Cluster (M21), YC Astrophotography

Trifid Nebula (M20) and Webb's Cross Open Star Cluster (M21)

Trifid Nebula (M20) and Webb's Cross Open Star Cluster (M21), YC Astrophotography

Trifid Nebula (M20) and Webb's Cross Open Star Cluster (M21)

Equipment

Loading...

Acquisition details

Loading...

Description

This is the spectacular Trifid Nebula (M20) and Webb's Cross open star cluster (M21), see lower right, located in the constellation of Sagittarius.

The Trifid or "three lobed" Nebula is so named for the distinctive set of dark lanes of dust that trisect its glowing hart. It is a massive star-forming factory and a rare combination of an open star cluster and three nebula types: the red emission nebula consisting of clouds of extremely hot hydrogen gas, the surrounding blue reflection nebula consisting of clouds of interstellar dust, and the dust bands that absorb and block the light from bright objects behind them.

Comments

Histogram

Trifid Nebula (M20) and Webb's Cross Open Star Cluster (M21), YC Astrophotography