| Trifid Nebula M20 and Lagoon Nebula M8 |
During warm summer nights, low in the southern sky, the constellation Sagittarius hovers over the trees near the horizon. From a dark
sky site, this constellation's teapot shape is complemented by a hazy glow of "steam" near its spout, which corresponds to the massive
Lagoon Nebula. Binoculars more clearly define this nebulous cloud and the associated star cluster. The smaller and dimmer Trifid
Nebula (upper left) is difficult to see without a telescope.
Both the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulas are part of the same cloud of gas harboring star formation, 5200 light-years away. Dark globules
within the Lagoon Nebula are collapsing protostellar clouds. Closeup views of the Lagoon Nebula and Trifid Nebula are available on
their own web pages.
This image combined 33 minutes exposures through each of red, green, and blue filters. An ST10XME camera was used through
aTakahashi Sky 90 refractor with focal reducer to yield about 400 mm focal length, at my dark sky observatory.
sky site, this constellation's teapot shape is complemented by a hazy glow of "steam" near its spout, which corresponds to the massive
Lagoon Nebula. Binoculars more clearly define this nebulous cloud and the associated star cluster. The smaller and dimmer Trifid
Nebula (upper left) is difficult to see without a telescope.
Both the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulas are part of the same cloud of gas harboring star formation, 5200 light-years away. Dark globules
within the Lagoon Nebula are collapsing protostellar clouds. Closeup views of the Lagoon Nebula and Trifid Nebula are available on
their own web pages.
This image combined 33 minutes exposures through each of red, green, and blue filters. An ST10XME camera was used through
aTakahashi Sky 90 refractor with focal reducer to yield about 400 mm focal length, at my dark sky observatory.
Music: Summer Breeze
