The Trifid Nebula; more beautiful than abstract art

The Trifid Nebula, also known as M 20, was discovered in 1764 by Charles Messier, who described it as a star cluster. John Herschel later observed it with more powerful telescopes and effectively classified M 20 as a nebula. Herschel coined it 'Trifid' after observing three dark nebulae which seem to divide the bright nebula into three sections.

Reflection, emission, and dark nebulae can be actually found in the Trifid complex. The field of June's AIM only shows the emission nebula, dissected into three fragments by the dark nebulae called B 33. The orange-coloured gas is the consequence of the interaction of high-energy emission with interstellar hydrogen. The three dark filaments were originated in the cold atmospheres of giant stars and supernovae debris.

In the upper part of the image a large dust pillar can be easily spotted, which has survived to the high-energy erosion due to its high density. Two narrower pillars can be also seen at the tip of the main one.

M 20 is locatted in Sagittarius and is easily spotted with a pair of binoculars, but it is through a telescope that this nebula shows its magnificent beauty, with the three different nebulae accesible to the eye.

http://www.iac.es/telescopes/IAM/Jun08_ing.html