Messier 20

This image shows the Trifid Nebula M20, a cloud of gas surrounding

a star-forming region.

It is a 3-color composite of 3 black-and-white photographic plates

taken with the 3.9-meter Anglo Australian Telescope and different emulsions

and filters, exposed as follows: Blue 35 minutes on Kodak IIa-O with GG 385

filter, Green 30 minutes on IIa-D/GG 495, Red 30 minutes on 098-04/OG 610.

Its components, an ionized red emission nebula 40 light-yeras in diameter,

and a blue reflection nebula are nicely visible, together with an appealing

system of conspicuous dark nebulae, obscuring the light from regions behind

them.

This image is copyrighted and may be used for private purpose only. For any

other kind of use, including internet mirroring and storing on CD-ROM, please

contact Coral Cooksley of the