The Trifid Nebula, M20, is probably best
known for its three-lobed appearance. The dark areas are lanes
of dark dust that obscure the nebula's light. This diffuse
nebula is very large, and is located about 5,000 light-years
from Earth. It is illuminated by a hot 7th-magnitude star
located deep within. M20 is a magnificent object easily visible
with a pair of binoculars. The dark rifts that divide the nebula
can be seen in a small telescope. Photographs will show the
nebula's bright red, pink, and blue colors.
