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Credit & Copyright: Andy Ermolli
Explanation:
These three bright nebulae are often featured on telescopic tours of the
constellation Sagittarius
and the crowded starfields of the
central Milky Way.
In fact, 18th century cosmic tourist
Charles
Messier
cataloged two of them;
M8,
the large nebula above center, and colorful
M20
below and left in the frame.
The third emission region includes
NGC 6559, right of M8 and
separated from the larger nebula by a dark dust lane.
All three are stellar nurseries about
five thousand light-years or so distant.
Over a hundred light-years across the expansive M8
is also known as the Lagoon Nebula.
M20's popular moniker is the Trifid.
Glowing hydrogen gas creates the dominant red color of the
emission nebulae.
But for striking contrast, blue hues in the
Trifid are due to dust reflected starlight.
The broad
interstellar skyscape
spans almost 4 degrees or 8 full moons on the sky.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: M 8 - M 20 - NGC 6559 - emission nebula
Publications with words: M 8 - M 20 - NGC 6559 - emission nebula
See also: