M20

The Trifid Nebula in Sagittarius, another star-forming hydrogen cloud about 5,200 light years distant is a red emission nebula surrounded by a blue reflection nebula which is particularly conspicuous to the northern end. The exciting star, HD 196692 or HN 40 or ADS 10991, is a triple system of 7th integrated magnitude. All are extremely hot; component A is of spectral type O5 to O7. This star is located on the west side of the Trifid Nebula cluster. Situated on the northern edge is HD 164514 of visual magnitude 7.42, a supergiant of spectral type A5.

Taken July 8, 2012, withe the C-14 operating at F:3.5 and the ST-8 camera binned 2 X 2. Exposure was 400 seconds each with the color filters.

Image taken August 23, 2009, with the ST-8 camera binned 2 X 2 on the C-14 operating at F:7 Exposure was 15 minutes each filter.