I’ve had to wait a little while to photograph this. It’s fairly low in the southern sky. Only just above the horizon. It’s only visible from my back garden for a short while this time of year. So I needed a good night where it would be between me and my neighbour’s house for a couple of hours.
The red glow is ionised hydrogen from newly born stars (an “emission” nebula). The blue glow is non-ionised hydrogen that is reflecting light from nearby stars (a “reflection” nebula). The name “Trifid” means “three lobes”. Which is appropriate, as there are obviously four.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifid_Nebula
To find it, find the summer triangle of the three brightest summer stars, Vega, Altair and Deneb. Follow the line from the left of the triangle down to the “Sagittarius Teapot”.
Once at the teapot, follow the left hand of the teapot lid and it takes you to the Trifid nebula.
You’ll need dark skies and binoculars to see it. Or, if like me you’re stuck in a town, a telescope and camera.
Platitude of the Day 