Post by glactus on May 26, 2011 3:08:22 GMT
The Trifid nebula
The Trifid Nebula (and as NGC 6514) is an H II region located in Sagittarius. Apparent magnitude is 6.3. Its name means 'divided into three lobes'. The object is an unusual combination of an open cluster of stars, an emission nebula (the lower, red portion), a reflection nebula (the upper, blue portion) and a dark nebula (the apparent 'gaps' within the emission nebula that cause the trifid appearance; these are also designated Barnard 85). Viewed through a small telescope, the Trifid Nebula is a bright and colorful object, and is thus a perennial favorite of amateur astronomers.
Unspeakable beauty and unimaginable bedlam can be found together in the Trifid Nebula Also known as M20, The energetic processes of star formation create not only the colors but the chaos. The red-glowing gas results from high-energy starlight striking interstellar hydrogen gas. The dark dust filaments that lace M20 were created in the atmospheres of cool giant stars and in the debris from supernovae explosions. Which bright young stars light up the blue reflection nebula is still being investigated.
To see movie, click on the URL below. Has sound
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe3lYHcmbEI
The Trifid nebula
Credits: This is a NASA/Hubble image
Text by Wikipedia
Movie: You tube