noaoann03014 — Announcement

Trifid Nebula

25 September 2003

This nebula, also known as M20, gets its distinct look from dust lanes that seem to divide the nebula into three parts. Its distance is estimated at approximately 5,000 light-years and it can be found in the constellation Sagittarius. This image was taken at the Kitt Peak Visitor Center 20" telescope as part of the Advanced Observing Program.