Visible-Light Picture of the Trifid Nebula
Ssc2005 02a1

Credit: NOAO

Observation • January 12th, 2005 • ssc2005-02a1

ssc2005-02a1

This image shows the well-known visible-light picture of the glowing Trifid Nebula. The Trifid Nebula is a giant star-forming cloud of gas and dust located 5,400 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius.

About the Object

Name
Trifid NebulaMessier 20M20
Type
Nebula > Type > Star Formation
Distance
5,400 Light Years

Color Mapping

Band Wavelength Telescope
Optical 440 nm KPNO
Optical 550 nm KPNO
Optical 700 nm KPNO

Astrometrics

Position (J2000)
RA =18h 2m 28.5s
Dec = -22° 58' 0.1"
Field of View
17.3 x 28.3 arcminutes
Orientation
North is 2.0° left of vertical