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Credit & Copyright: Emilio Rivero Padilla
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 just left of center,
and colorful M20 on the top left.
The third emission region includes
NGC 6559
and can be found to the right of M8.
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.
In striking contrast, blue hues in the
Trifid are due to dust reflected starlight.
Recently formed bright blue stars are visible nearby.
The colorful composite skyscape was recorded in 2018 in
Teide National Park in the
Canary Islands,
Spain.
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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:
- APOD: 2025 February 18 Á Thors Helmet versus the Seagull
- APOD: 2025 February 11 Á The Spider and the Fly
- APOD: 2024 December 17 Á Near to the Heart Nebula
- The Elephant s Trunk in Cepheus
- Phantoms in Cassiopeia
- APOD: 2024 August 28 Á Tulip Nebula and Black Hole Cygnus X 1
- The Light, Dark, and Dusty Trifid