The Trifid Nebula (full frame)

The massive star factory known as the Trifid Nebula was captured in all its glory with the Wide-Field Imager camera attached to the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in northern Chile. So named for the dark dust bands that trisect its glowing heart, the Trifid Nebula is a rare combination of three nebulae types that reveal the fury of freshly formed stars and point to more star birth in the future. The field of view of the image is approximately 19 x 26 arcminutes. The Trifid Nebula is also known as NGC 6514 and Messier 20.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0930b
Type:Observation
Release date:26 August 2009
Related releases:eso0930
Size:4545 x 6122 px

About the Object

Name:M 20, Messier 20, NGC 6514, Trifid Nebula
Type:Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Open
Milky Way : Nebula : Appearance : Emission
Milky Way : Nebula : Appearance : Reflection
Distance:5500 light years
Constellation:Sagittarius
Category:Nebulae

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Coordinates

Position (RA):18 2 9.56
Position (Dec):-22° 55' 47.35"
Field of view:18.03 x 24.29 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.1° right of vertical