VISTA views the Trifid and reveals hidden variable stars (wider field view)

This extract from the VISTA VVV survey of the central parts of the Milky Way shows the famous Trifid Nebula at the bottom. It appears as faint and ghostly at these infrared wavelengths when compared to the familiar view at visible wavelengths. This transparency has brought its own benefits — many previously hidden background objects can now be seen clearly. Among these are two newly discovered Cepheid variable stars, the first ever spotted on the far side of the galaxy near its central plane.

Credit:

ESO/VVV consortium/D. Minniti

About the Image

Id:eso1504e
Type:Observation
Release date:4 February 2015, 12:00
Related releases:eso1504
Size:15543 x 12667 px

About the Object

Name:M 20, Messier 20, Trifid Nebula
Type:Milky Way : Nebula
Constellation:Sagittarius
Category:Nebulae

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Coordinates

Position (RA):18 0 26.26
Position (Dec):-23° 1' 10.87"
Field of view:88.31 x 71.97 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 60.2° left of vertical