Messier 20 (M 20) - Trifid Nebula
Introduction | Map | Sketch | My
Best Own Photos | My
Own
Observations | References ||
Appendix: My Own Photos
On this page I collect my observations of the galactic emission nebula M
20, called Trifid Nebula, in
the constellation Sagittarius.
Introduction
The galactic emission nebula M 20 in the
constellation
Sagittarius is called Trifid Nebula because it consists of
three parts. According to Stoyan, most observers are disappointed of this
nebula when they see it for the first time, because even small light
pollution can "extinct" the nebula.
Size: 15' x 10' (Stoyan)
Distance: 5,000 light years (Stoyan)
Rating: ** (Stoyan).
Map

M 20 (nearly at the bottom) belongs to the constellation Sagittarius;
the map marks further objects in Sagittarius and Scutum that I tried to observe
(Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)
Sketch
The sketch by Michael Vlasov (DeepSkyWatch.com)
provides a rough impression of what I might have observed in Summer/Autumn
2016: Sketch
of M 20 (Trifid Nebula) by Michael Vlasov (Copyright © Michael
Vlasov 2016)
Note: I only have the author's permission to link to the sketch.
My Best Own Photos
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M 20 - May 29, 2020 |
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M 20 - Jul 9, 2020 |
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M 20 - Aug 23, 2020 |
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M 20 - May 29, 2020, photo on top processed |
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M 20 - Jul 9, 2020, photo on top processed |
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M 20 - Aug 23, 2020, photo on top processed |
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M 20 - Jul 17, 2021 |
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M 20 - Jul 18, 2021 |
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M 20 - Jul 17, 2021, photo above processed |
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M 20 - Jul 18. 2021, photo on top processed |
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My Own Observations
Observations Summer to Autumn 2016
- End of August 2016 (Erkerode: Heritage
100P): Tried to find M 20, but actually I saw only stars -
I would not want to call this a "find"...
- Early September 2016 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Heritage
100P and Heritage
P130, both
on GoTo mount):
Ditto
Observations September to October 2019
Observations May to August 2020
- May 29, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M
20 photographed
- May 31, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M
20 photographed, strongly disturbed by trees
- June 1, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M
20 photographed, disturbed by trees
- July 9, 2020 (Ulm: eVscope): M
20 photographed,
- August 23, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M
20 photographed
Observations July 2021
- July 17, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M
20 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor
collimation
- July 18, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M
20 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor
collimation despite new collimation
References
On this Site

Appendix: My Own Photos
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M 20 - May 29, 2020 |
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M 20 - May 31, 2020, strongly disturbed |
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M 20 - Jun 1, 2020, disturbed |
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M 18 - May 29, 2020, photo above processed |
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M 18 - May 31, 2020, photo above processed |
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M 20 - Jun 1, 2020, photo above processed |
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M 20 - Jul 9, 2020 |
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M 20 - Aug 23, 2020 |
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M 20 - Jul 17, 2021 |
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M 20 - Jul 9, 2020, photo on top processed |
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M 20 - Aug 23, 2020, photo on top processed |
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M 20 - Jul 17, 2021, photo on top processed |
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M 20 - Jul 18, 2021 |
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M 20 - Jul 18. 2021, photo left processed |
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