Canon 30D Unmodified, Astronomik CLS filter
Celestron 8 with 0.63 reducer
13x300sec at iso 1600
30 Darks/Flats/Bias

Yahoo Digital Astro Group Monthly Challenge July, 2007 Runner Up

The Trifid Nebula M20 is famous for its three-lobed appearance. The red emission nebula with its young star cluster near its center is surrounded by a blue reflection nebula which is particularly conspicuous to the northern end. The nebula's distance is rather uncertain, with values between 2,200 light years and about 7,600 light years.

The dark nebula which is the reason for the Trifid's appearance was cataloged by Barnard as Barnard 85.

June23, 2007