images

Trifid nebula (M20) and open cluster M21

by

J.Lodriguss/Novapix

Reference

a-neb65-14004

Date

2006-05-14

M20, the Trifid Nebula is a remarkable object, large, bright and beautiful. It is a complex of red emission and blue reflection nebulosity about the size of the full moon, intersected by three dark lanes, from which the Trifid gets its name. M21 is a rich open cluster comprised of some 70 stars with a large brightness range and strong central condensation, approximately 13 arc minutes in diameter and magnitude 5.9, and located 1/2 degree to the northeast of M20.