Emission nebula
The Trifid Nebula
Also M20 · NGC 6514 · Sh 2-30
A star-forming nebula split into three lobes by dark dust lanes, with a blue reflection nebula beside it.
Measured
- Distance
- about 4,100 light-years (published estimates 3,900–4,300)
- Size
- about 42 light-years across (approximate)
- Constellation
- Sagittarius
- Position (J2000)
- RA 18h 02m 23s, Dec −23.03°
How far, from the Sun
About 4,100 light-years. To cross it:
- Light4,100 years
- Voyager 1's speed72.9 million years
- Driving at 100 km/h44.2 billion years
Voyager 1 at the speed it moved outward over the year to 2026-10-25 (JPL Horizons). Driving: nonstop, never refuelling.
Facts
- It combines three kinds of nebula: red glowing gas, blue reflecting dust and dark dust lanes.
How it was found
- Charles Messier discovered it in 1764; John Herschel later named it the Trifid.
Where this comes from
- Kuhn et al. 2019, Gaia DR2 (1,260 ± 70 pc)
Every catalogue Ouranos draws is credited on the credits page.