Trifid and Lagoon nebulas.TheTrifid Nebula, M20, (top) is an emission and reflection nebula. In the Southern section, hot young stars excite hydrogen atoms in the gas that emit red light. In the northern part of the Trifid, starlight reflected by dust particles causes a blue glow. The Lagoon Nebula M8, is an emission nebula named for the dark lane crossing its center. M8 contains dark globules that may eventually condense into stars. A cluster of young stars that can be superimposed on M8 originates from the nebula. This image was taken with a Meade 12" Schmidt Camera.