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Trifid Nebula

M20, NGC 6514

Star-forming Region in Sagittarius

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Proper Name	Trifid Nebula
Messier Number	M20
NGC/IC Number	NGC 6514
Constellation	Sagittarius
Right Ascension	18h 2m 42s
Declination	-22° 58' 18"
Distance	c.5,200 light years c.1,600 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: +6.3 Absolute: -4.7
Mean Diameter	Apparent: 29' x 27' Actual: 44 light years
Optimum Visibility	July
Notes	The Trifid Nebula is primarily a star-forming region, within which dense clusters of thousands of stars are emerging from clouds of ionised hydrogen. Branching lanes of dark dust trace across this region, while another less active element of the nebula stretches off to the north, visible by the reflected light of the main nebula and its newborn stars.

In a densely nebulous region of the sky, in the direction of the Galaxy's core, is the Trifid, one of the most spectacular of all nebulae. It takes its name from three dark lanes of dust that break up an intricate pattern of red, purple and blue filaments illuminated by the intensely hot star HD 164492.

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