Astronomy Picture of the Day

  The Trifid Nebula is Stars and Dust Credit & Copyright: Robert Gendler; Data Acquisition: Ryan Hannahoe Explanation: Unspeakable beauty and unimaginable bedlam can be found together in the Trifid Nebula. Also known as M20, this photogenic nebula is visible with good binoculars towards the constellation of Sagittarius. The energetic processes of star formation create not only the colors but the chaos. The red-glowing gas results from high-energy starlight striking ... Full Story