The Trifid Nebula (M20) and open cluster M21

on Wednesday, September 16, 2015

M20 in the lower left, also NGC 6514, is one of the more unique highlights of the summer sky. Also known as the Trifid Nebula, it is a combination of an open cluster, a reflection nebula (the blue part), an emission nebula (the red part) and dark nebula (the dark parts throughout). It is located approximately 5,200 light years away.

M21 in the upper right, also NGC 6531, is an open cluster located approximately 4,250 light years from Earth.

Both objects are located in the constellation Sagittarius and were discovered on June 6, 1764 by Charles Messier.

Imaged from Lake St Louis, MO on September 13th, 2015 and Broemmelsiek Park in Defiance, MO on September 15th, 2015.

Celestron Nexstar 8SE
Orion EQ6
Canon T2i (modified)
11x240s
21x180s

Comments
To leave a comment you must be a member of our community.
Login to your account now, or register for an account to start participating.
No one has commented yet.
Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

ADVERTISEMENT
FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Receive news, sky-event information, observing tips, and more from Astronomy's weekly email newsletter. View our Privacy Policy.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Find us on Facebook