This packed region above the spout of Sagittarius's teapot boasts emission nebulae M8 (the Lagoon), M20 (the Trifid), and NGC 6559, plus several star clusters. The Trifid also has a blue reflection nebula on one edge.

Astro-Physics 105mm (4.1 inch) refractor at f/4.5. Three 14-minute exposures on gas-hypersensitized Kodak Pro 400 PPF color-negative film. The field is 2 2/3° x 4° centered at 18h 06m, -23° 44'. North is to the upper right. Photographed from near Vicuña, Chile. ©1998