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Credit & Copyright: Robert Gendler
Explanation:
These three bright nebulae are often featured in telescopic tours
of the constellation
Sagittarius and the view
toward the center
of our Milky Way galaxy.
In fact, 18th century cosmic tourist
Charles Messier
cataloged two of them; M8, the nebula above and left of center,
and colorful M20 at the lower left.
The third, NGC 6559, is at the right of M8, separated
from the the larger nebula by a dark dust lane.
All three are stellar nurseries about
five thousand light-years or so distant.
The expansive M8, over a hundred light-years across,
is also known as the Lagoon Nebula
while M20's popular moniker is
the Trifid.
In this gorgeous digital composition,
the dominant red color of the emission nebulae is due
to glowing hydrogen gas energized by the radiation of hot,
young stars.
The contrasting blue hues, most striking in the
Trifid as well as NGC 6559, are due to dust
reflected starlight.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: M 8 - M 20 - NGC 6559
Publications with words: M 8 - M 20 - NGC 6559
See also: