Observer's guide
About Trifid Nebula
Trifid Nebula (M20) is catalogued as a diffuse nebula in Sagittarius. Its J2000 position is RA 18:02:42.11, Dec -22:58:18.8, corresponding to 270.675 degrees RA and -22.9717 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 5,200 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 28 by 28 arcminutes.
Observing tips
StarWatchr rates this as a very hard target at magnitude 9. It is associated with summer observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around June. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 15 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
Because it is faint, use a larger aperture where possible, avoid bright Moon conditions, and use averted vision.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is OpC. A published radial velocity value is -2.1 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 460 bibliographic references.
Its roughly 28 arcminute span suits a medium field of view. Use the listed 28 by 28 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.