M20 Trifid Nebula
Image information:
| Date: | 07/13/2007 |
| Equipment: | SBIG ST2000XM with CFW8a and Astronomik type 2c LRGB filter set through WO ZS105ED telescope on Losmandy GM8 mount. WO ZS105ED working at f5.6 with WO 0.8X reducer/flattener. |
| Image type: | LRGB |
| Exposure time: | 9X6min Luminance binned 1X1, RG&B 4X4min each binned 2X2. |
| Comment: | M20 is a rather difficult object for me, since it never rises more than 20 degrees above the horizon at my site. |
Object information:
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Object designations: |
M20, NGC6514, Trifid Nebula, Barnard 85 (dark nebula) |
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Object type: |
Diffuse emission and reflection nebula, dark absorption nebula |
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Object size: |
28' |
| Constellation: | Sagittarius |
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Comment: |
M20 is an interesting object showcasing three main types of astronomical nebulae. Red portion of M20 is emission nebula glowing in the light of excited hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen is excited by the cluster of hot young stars in the center of the nebula. Blue portion of the nebula is reflection nebula, actually interstellar dust reflecting starlight. M20 owe its name, Trifid nebula, to dark absorption nebula that divides it into three main lobes. Dark nebulae are dense clouds of interstellar dust obscuring the light of objects behind them. The distance of the Trifid nebula is not precisely determined, it is estimated to some 5000 ly. |
Related images:
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List of related images: |
Trifid Nebula and M21, OSC, Altair Hypercam 533C through APM/LZOS 105/650 APO telescope |