Post

@kristopher.setnes.net

The Trifid Nebula (Messier 20) is a combination of a hydrogen emission nebula (red) and a reflection nebula (blue). This nebula looks like a piece of popcorn to me when viewed through large telescopes. This is a relatively short stack from a dark location. #astrophotography

28/1/25, 5:05 am3 reposts65 likes

Tim MacDonald

@inthecedars.bsky.social

28 Jan 2025

Nice work! Such a beautiful nebula Trifid is.

bobo3f1.bsky.social

@bobo3f1.bsky.social

28 Jan 2025

that's a creative comparison, but the trifid nebula's unique structure is more complex than a simple piece of popcorn, with intricate gas and dust formations.

Kristopher Setnes

@kristopher.setnes.net

28 Jan 2025

Of course it is all that... but I still see popcorn. I've had the absolute pleasure of seeing it in a 30" Dobsonian... and... yup... it was still a piece of popcorn... just bigger. :)

Kristopher Setnes

@kristopher.setnes.net

28 Jan 2025

While processing this image a few years ago, I noticed a little streak from a moving object (red arrow). It overlapped enough image to image, so the outlier rejection logic did not remove it. After a little research, I found it to be a known asteroid (1277 Dolores).