Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory, located in the Abu Dhabi desert, succeeded in capturing a distinctive image of a cosmic gas and dust called the “Triple Nebula” (Trifid Nebula – M20).
The operation took place after 11 hours of imaging. This star is considered one of the most prominent and beautiful nebulae in the summer sky.
This nebula is located in the Sagittarius cluster, 4,100 light-years from Earth, and has a diameter of about 42 light-years.
It was called the “Triple Nebula” because it appears to be divided into three lobes. This division is caused by the dark dust that lies in front of it, as shown in the picture.
The image clearly shows a star fountain flowing from one of the gas clouds in the heart of the nebula in the form of two “horns”.
This fountain results from the birth of a new star inside the cloud. Its released energy pushes the gases surrounding it outward. This forms a breathtaking celestial scene that symbolizes the beginning of the life of a star in our galaxy.
The fountain is about three-quarters of a light-year long.
Imaging equipment and conditions
– 14-inch diameter telescope with monochrome camera.
– Filming time: 11 hours, 213 photos, each photo lasting 3 minutes.
– Level of light pollution at the Bortle 6 monitoring site
Filters used:
– Hydrogen: 76 images, for a total of 3.8 hours.
– Oxygen: 55 images, for a total of 2.8 hours.
– Sulfur: 82 images, for a total of 4.1 hours.
The work team included photographer Mohamed Oud, and the image was processed by Haitham Hamdi. The Observatory team includes Osama Ghanem, Anas Mohammed, and Khalfan Al-Naimi.
Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory extends its sincere thanks to Engineer Maktham Abu Allan and Mr. Raed O Sheikha. Their discussion and previous photo of the Triple Nebula motivated the observatory to photograph the nebula and highlight the phenomenon of the star fountain.
