This frames the spectacular region of the Milky Way near the direction of the galactic centre in Sagittarius. At top is the pink (emission) and blue (reflection) nebula Messier 20, aka the Trifid Nebula. Below it is the large bright emission nebula, Messier 8, the Lagoon Nebula. At bottom amid the rich star field of the Sagittarius Starcloud is the small dense black Ink Spot Nebula, Barnard 86, next to the small star cluster NGC 6520. The Starcloud is yellowed by absorption of blue wavelengths by intervening interstellar dust.

The fainter nebula complex to the east (left) of M8 is IC 4685, aka Sharpless 2-29. The very faint red patch at the right edge is Sharpless 2-22. Above M20 is the star cluster Messier 21.

The field of view is about 8.2° x 5.5°.

Technical:
This is a stack of just 10 x 3 minute exposures with the Founder Optics Draco 62 astrograph with its fast f/4 Reducer lens, and the astro-modified Canon R camera at ISO 800. It was on the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi equatorial mount and autoguided with the ASIAir and ZWO guidescope and camera. Taken October 5, 2024 from the Quailway Cottage near Rodeo, New Mexico but just over the line in Arizona. The field was getting low in the southwest on an autumn night. So exposures were kept short for just 30 minutes in total.