Map of the Universe
Trifid Nebula
Nebula · Emission nebula in the constellation Sagittarius
About the Trifid Nebula
The Trifid Nebula is about 4,110 light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 4,110 years ago.
It is 22,923 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way.
The map lists it as a nebula and shows it among the stars around the Sun, drawn on the plane of the Milky Way.
Its distance or nature is debated, and the map shows one published value.
Distance contested: published values range from 2,700 to 9,000 light-years.
Key numbers
| Distance | 4,110 light-years (1,260 pc) |
|---|---|
| Distance from the Galactic centre | 22,923 light-years |
| Galactic coordinates | l = 7.00°, b = -0.30° |
| Size | about 42 light-years across |
Where it is
Its place in the universe, from the inside out: Sagittarius–Carina Arm › Milky Way › Local Group › Virgo Supercluster › Laniakea Supercluster › Observable universe.
Zoom out to see it in context: Local Arm, a view about 12,000 light-years across.
From Wikipedia
The Trifid Nebula is an H II region in the north-west of Sagittarius in a star-forming region in the Milky Way's Scutum–Centaurus Arm. It was discovered by Charles Messier on June 5, 1764. Its name means 'three-lobe'.
Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Trifid Nebula, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Nearby on the map
- Lagoon Nebula Nebula
- NGC6334 Star-forming region
- OGLE-2011-BLG-0462 Black hole
- Omega Nebula Nebula
- Eagle Nebula Nebula
- IRC-10414 Star-forming region