Eagle Nebula M16

Astrophotography by David Gares

Eagle Nebula M16

M16, the Eagle Nebula, is a young star cluster surrounded by gas and dust pillars. The gas is ionized by ultraviolet light from the massive young stars, and the gas/dust pillars absorb some of the light. This nebula yields spectacular photos, but this one is so-so because of my bright skies. The pillars have been named Pillars of Creation as seen by the Hubble telescope.

Eagle Nebula M16
(Click image to enlarge)

Object Details:

Type: Emission nebula, open cluster
Constellation: Serpens
Distance: 7000 light-years
Size: 55 x 70 light-years

Image Details:

Date: May 23, 2004
Site: Harahan, LA
Exposure: CCD, 10 x 5 min.
Filters: Orion SkyGlow LPR
Processing: MSB Astroart 3.0
Telescope: 10" Meade LX200
Reducer: Meade, f/4.3
CCD: Starlight Express MX7C
Autoguider: S.T.A.R. 2000

Last updated on 2/29/2016, 3:08:20 AM