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Credit & Copyright: Sebastian Voltmer
Explanation:
What that bright red spot between the Lagoon and Trifid Nebulas?
Mars.
This gorgeous
color deep-sky photograph captured the red planet passing between the two
notable nebulas -- cataloged by the 18th century cosmic registrar
Charles
Messier as M8 and M20.
M20 (upper right of center),
the Trifid Nebula, presents a striking contrast in
red/blue colors and dark dust lanes.
Across the bottom right
is the expansive, alluring red glow of M8,
the Lagoon Nebula.
Both nebulae are a few thousand
light-years distant.
By
comparison, temporarily situated between them both,
is the dominant "local" celestial beacon
Mars.
Taken last week,
the red planet
was only
about 10 light-minutes away.
Gallery: Mars
in Sagittarius
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Mars - Lagoon Nebula - Trifid nebula
Publications with words: Mars - Lagoon Nebula - Trifid nebula
See also: