Stardust Odyssey in Sagittarius: From Lagoon (M8) to Trifid (M20)

Image Title: Stardust Odyssey in Sagittarius: From Lagoon (M8) to Trifid (M20)

Copyright: Julien De Winter & Victor Sabet

Date image was taken: June 07, 2025

Location: Texas Starfront Observatories

Data Acquisition Method: Personal Telescope Setup

Description and Details: We are delight to present you an iconic duo: the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20), two stunning jewels of the summer sky, located in the constellation Sagittarius. Here is an LRGB-SHO version, using a Foraxx-inspired palette.

The Lagoon, about 4,100 light-years away, is a vast emission nebula nearly 110 light-years across. It’s a true stellar nursery, where countless massive young stars are born. Their intense radiation ionizes the surrounding gas, making it glow with the deep red hues typical of excited hydrogen. At its heart lies the open cluster NGC 6530, made up of very young stars. Visible to the naked eye from a dark site, the Lagoon is one of the rare nebulae that can be seen without any instrument.

The Trifid Nebula, located about 5,200 light-years away, is more compact, spanning roughly 40 light-years. What makes it unique is its complex structure, combining three types of nebulae: a red emission region, a bluish reflection nebula, and dark dust lanes that split it into three distinct lobes — hence the name Trifid, from the Latin trifidus, meaning “divided into three.” It too harbors star-forming regions, with young stars and protostars nestled within filaments of gas and dust.


Scope : Askar FRA600
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro

Dates :3 - 4 Mai/20 Mai 2025/7 Juin 2025

Images:

Red 2": 30×30,″(15′)
Green 2": 30×30,″(15′)
Blue 2": 30×30,″(15′)
Luminance 2": 30×180,″(1h 30′)
H-alpha 7nm 2": 22×600,″(3h 40′)
O-III 7nm 2": 18×600,″(3h)
S-II 7nm 2": 17×600,″(2h 50′)
Acquisition:11h 45′

Full Res : https://www.astrobin.com/02hhee/

Name: Julien DE WINTER

Website or Facebook Profile: https://www.instagram.com/dwj85/