Physicist Captures Image of Nebula M20 Illustrating what the Department's New Astronomy Initiative can Achieve

Physicist Tracy Tuttle recently captured this image of the nebula M20. The Trifid Nebula (catalogued as Messier 20 or M20) is located in Sagittarius. The object is a combination of an open cluster of stars - an emission nebula and a reflection nebula.

Some of the features in this image are over 10,000 times dimmer than one can see with the unaided eye.

Tracy and colleagues recently tested the kinds of capabilities that are being developed at a local astronomical research/project site about 12 miles to the West of K-State. There are plans to develop this site for outreach, student projects/research, and use by K-State Physics courses and departmental clubs.