M 20 (OC+N)
| R.A. | Dec. | Size | Mag | SB | Cnt.St | Type | Distance | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18h 02m 42.8s | -22° 58′ 19.3″ | 20.0′ | 8.5 | 14.7 | EN+OCL; 3, 3, 3 | OC+N | -- | -- |
Background
M20 is the Trifid Nebula — a striking star-forming region 5,200 light-years away in Sagittarius, combining a bright pink emission nebula, a blue reflection component and three prominent dark dust lanes that divide the bright region into three lobes (giving the name).
My Observing Notes
25-cm (Meade 10-inch LX200, The Coffee Grinder): Although fainter than the nearby M8, gives lovely views — the bright mass of nebulosity bisected by the dark veins (the namesake) is clearly prominent.(Saturday, June 2025)
25-cm (Meade 10-inch LX200, The Coffee Grinder): Revisited with the 35 mm Panoptic. The dark veins bisecting the nebulosity are even more striking with the wider field.(Saturday, August 2025)
44-cm (Club 17.5-inch f/5): Returned to the Lagoon area through the Club's 17.5-inch with a low power eyepiece — the wide-field view is spectacular.(Saturday, September 2025)
References
Charts
