Abu Dhabi observatory reveals striking image of Trifid Nebula
Robotic telescope records one of summer’s most dazzling celestial sights
Abu Dhabi: From the vast silence of the desert, a robotic telescope has captured a striking new portrait of one of the night sky’s most celebrated objects — the Trifid Nebula.
The Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory announced that, after an 11-hour imaging session, its instruments recorded a highly detailed view of the nebula, a swirling mass of gas and dust formally catalogued as M20.
Famed among astronomers and stargazers alike, the Trifid is known for its dazzling blend of colours and textures — glowing clouds of ionised gas, dark dust lanes that divide it into three lobes, and clusters of newborn stars illuminating the scene.
Located in the constellation Sagittarius, the nebula is considered one of the jewels of the summer sky. While modest telescopes can reveal it under dark, clear conditions, images like the one obtained in Abu Dhabi demand precision, patience and hours of exposure to reveal its most delicate details.
Situated far from the city’s light pollution, the observatory relies on automated systems to track celestial targets with great accuracy over extended periods. The images not only inspire awe but also contribute to research into star formation and the structure of interstellar matter.
Astronomers note that the Trifid’s unique mix of emission, reflection and dark nebulae make it a rare hybrid — and an invaluable laboratory for studying the life cycle of stars.
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