MESSIER OBJECT 20 - THE TRIFID NEBULA  Located approximately 5,200 light years away in the constellation Sagittarius, this nebula shares characteristics of both reflection and emission nebulae. The red/pink color on the right is the emission nebula which is ionized hydrogen gas. Ultraviolet radiation coming from two stars near the central dark lanes is causing the hydrogen gas to glow its typical reddish color. On the left side, more distant from the ultraviolet radiation is the reflection nebula. The gas here is too far away to be ionized so it just reflects the true color of the hot, young stars embedded in the nebula to the right.

L20/R15/G15/B20 no binning

Imaged at Zodiac Ranch Fort Davis,TX May 2003

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