Trifid Nebula

[Bill Richards]

The Trifid Nebula (aka M20) is a colorful nebula in a star-forming region of the Milky Way. Its name means 'three-lobe'. The object is an unusual combination of an open cluster of stars, an emission nebula (the relatively dense, reddish-pink portion), a reflection nebula (the mainly blue portion), and a dark nebula (the apparent gaps in the former that cause the trifurcated appearance).

This image is the result of integrating 75 3-minute exposures taken on 5/21/2023 and 6/17/2023.

Equipment and Software:
=======================
Mount: iOption CEM40 w/iPolar
Telescope: Celestron EdgeHD 8 w/0.7x focal reducer
Auto-Focuser: Rigel Systems nFOCUS
Imaging Camera: ASI2600MC-Pro
Guide Camera: ASI174MM-Mini on OAG
Imaging Software: NINA
Guiding Software: PHD2
Image Processing Software: PixInsight

Exposure Details:
=================
Camera Temperature -15C
Bias: 50
Gain: 100
75 x 180s
Plus 32x Darks, Flats, and Dark Flats

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[JimFox]

Wow Bill! This is really awesome! Any filters used with this? This coloring in this is really great, maybe the most blue I have seen where it almost appears to be surrounding the emission nebula.

 

[Bill Richards]

Wow Bill! This is really awesome! Any filters used with this? This coloring in this is really great, maybe the most blue I have seen where it almost appears to be surrounding the emission nebula.

Thanks, Jim. No filters since this target contains a reflection nebula in addition to the emission nebula.

 

[Comet Hunter]

Great capture of M20 , what bortle skys do you have where you shot this?

 

[Bill Richards]

Great capture of M20 , what bortle skys do you have where you shot this?

Bortle 4/5

 

[Anubis1311]

Amazing! I’m so jealous as I cannot shoot any southern facing nebulas due to the house blocking it. When I do I hope it’s gajj oh f as good as yours!

 

[Alisa]

Wow! This is cool!

 

[Mike Lewis]

Excellent job, lots of detail and great colors. I got a new appreciation for this target when I imaged it recently - lots more going on there at this scale than when seen in smaller sizes certainly.

ML