                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                 2023 June 5
     A bright red gaseous nebula is pictures with three dark dust lanes
    meeting in the center. The top of the nebula appears blue. Please see
               the explanation for more detailed information.

                     In the Center of the Trifid Nebula
                    Image Credit & Copyright: Martin Pugh

   Explanation: What's happening at the center of the Trifid Nebula? Three
   prominent dust lanes that give the Trifid its name all come together.
   Mountains of opaque dust appear near the bottom, while other dark
   filaments of dust are visible threaded throughout the nebula. A single
   massive star visible near the center causes much of the Trifid's glow.
   The Trifid, cataloged as M20, is only about 300,000 years old, making
   it among the youngest emission nebulas known. The star forming nebula
   lies about 9,000 light years away toward the constellation of the
   Archer (Sagittarius). The region pictured here spans about 20 light
   years.

                   Portal Universe: Random APOD Generator
                      Tomorrow's picture: planet killer
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