M8 and M20 - Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae

About 5,200 light-years away In the constellation Sagittarius, you will find the Lagoon Nebula (M8). Star Clusters abound in this area of the sky, and even within the Lagoon itself, as the massive stars embedded within the nebula give off enormous amounts of ultraviolet radiation, ionizing the gas and causing it to shine. Nearby from our vantage point, we also find the colorful Trifid Nebula (M20), though it is actually about 9,000 light-years away. The Trifid holds within it a small group of newly formed stars that are emitting high amount of ultraviolet radiation. Because their intense radiation has blown away the gas and dust from which new stars are made, there is no longer active star formation within its vicinity. To the right of the Lagoon, you’ll see NGC 6559, and just below and to the right of the Trifid, you’ll find the star cluster M21.