M20 Trifid Nebula in RGB

This is the Trifid Nebula, also known as Messier 20. This is true color and is such an amazing object, that I hope to image from a dark site one day.

5x120s each of RGB

Total: 30 minutes of data

Processed in Pixinsight

Focal Length: 2350mm

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 trifurcated appearance; these are also designated Barnard 85