This packed region above the spout of Sagittarius's teapot boasts emission nebulae M8 (the Lagoon, bottom left), M20 (the Trifid, right), and NGC 6559 (top left), 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