M16 Eagle Nebula

The Eagle nebula is an open star cluster in the constellation Serpens.

Eagle Nebula
Three-colour composite image of the Eagle Nebula
Credit: ESO

Facts About M16 Eagle Nebula:

    Includes the famous Pillars of Creation, which have probably been destroyed in the time it's taken the light to get to Earth.
  • Part of the diffuse emission nebula (H II region) IC 4703.
Classification: Open Cluster
Names:  Eagle Nebula, Star Queen Nebula, Messier 16, M16, NGC 6611
Constellation:  Serpens
Distance:  6.62e+16 km (7000 ly)

Discovered:  1745  by Jean-Philippe de Cheseaux
Naming:  Named after its shape
TE AWAMUTU SPACE CENTRE
HOME  |  ABOUT  |  CONTACT  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER