  M16 Eagle Nebula
Pillars of Creation PhotoNewborn stars are forming in the Eagle Nebula. This image, taken with the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995, shows
evaporating gaseous globules (EGGs) emerging from pillars of molecular hydrogen gas and
dust. The giant pillars are light years in length and are so dense that interior gas contracts gravitationally to form stars. At each pillars' end, the intense radiation of bright young stars
causes low density material to boil away, leaving
stellar nurseries of dense EGGs exposed.
The
Eagle Nebula, associated with the
open star cluster
M16, lies about 7000
light years away.
For a very high resolution wide field image of M16 see M16 Inside the Eagle Nebula
Note: Image has been very slightly retouched where sensors are missing data.
| Publisher's Comment |
|
The Pillars of Creation has inspired a generation. This is our best seller,
by far. The image quality is optimally appreciated as a Maxisize print
24"x30". See our Specialized M16 Gallery for other stunning Eagle Nebula images. |
Credit: HST
Text: APOD
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