Eagle Nebula. Photo by Dave Chaton
The Eagle Nebula (catalogued as Messier 16 or M16, and as NGC 6611) is a young open cluster of stars in the constellation Serpens, discovered by Jean-Philippe de Cheseaux in 1745-46. Its name derives from its shape which is resemblant of an eagle.
It is the subject of a famous photograph by the Hubble Space Telescope, which shows pillars of star-forming gas and dust within the nebula.
The Eagle Nebula is part of a diffuse emission nebula, or H II region, which is catalogued as IC 4703. This region of active current star formation is about 6,500 light-years distant. The tower of gas that can be seen coming off the nebula is approximately 57 trillion miles (97 trillion km) high.
Related posts:
- Skywatch Friday – Flame Nebula This is a photo that my husband Dave took recently...
- Skywatch Friday: 2/3 of the Leo Triplet. M65 & M66 What is up with the weather – we’ve had cloud...
- The Horsehead Nebula This is the Horsehead Nebula and NGC2023 which is a...
- Recent Astro Photography – Trifid Nebula Unspeakable beauty and unimaginable bedlam can be found together in...
- Friday evening at Bar H Had a gorgeous day as you can see by the...
That is so romantic and beautiful.
wonderful
Very beautiful. MB
That’s amazing!
Cool photo!