Pillars of Creation

Eagle Nebula (M16)

  The above nebula was first discovered due to its star cluster, given to Philippe Loys de Cheseaux in 1745.  Later,
Charles Messier independently rediscovered the cluster in 1764 describing its stars as "enmeshed in a faint glow" suggesting
he discovered the nebula as well.  It wasn't until 1995 when the Hubble Telescope closely photographed the central star formation
region of the nebula calling it the "Pillars of Creation" which became famous worldwide.  The Eagle Nebula's light areas are emission nebula
which are clouds of gas and dust so hot they make their own light.  The dark areas are dark nebula which are cold gas visible only because
they silhouette against the glowing backdrop.  The Eagle Nebula is 5,700 light years away found in constellation Serpens Cauda
and located in a spiral arm of the Milky Way Galaxy called the Sagittarius-Carina spiral arm. 

  Messier 16 was photographed with a low- and high-powered telescope revealing the Eagle Nebula in its entirety
along with the Pillars of Creation.

{  Photo:  R Lang & Associates }