M20 (NGC6514) is named the Trifid Nebula because of the triple division of its central part. This wonderful object is a nebular complex which contains both emission and reflection nebulas. It lies prospectically very close to the center of our own galaxy, and is contained in one of the richest field of the whole sky. Very long exposures are required to show M20 in all its beauty. It's probably one of the most images objects, and can be seen many breathtaking images of it, taken also with small telescopes. Its dimensions are 29'x27', quite large to show many details also with focal lenghts around one meter.

Camera : Starlight Xpress SXV-H9 with Astronomik Ha and LRGB dichroic filters


Telescope : Takahashi FS-102 at F/8 on a GM2000-FS2


Guiding : ST4 on a Vixen 80/910mm.


Exposure : Ha 4x1200sec. - L 6x600sec. - RGB 4x300sec. each binned 2x2


Processing : MaxIm (align, combine) - SGBNR - Photoshop (final enhancing)


Location : Champorcher (Val d'Aosta) - 1800 mt. height


Date : July 2-3, 2005

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