Astronomy Picture of the Day - The Eagle Nebula and Friends

NASA ^ | 10 Jun, 2026 | Image Credit & Copyright: Emmanuel Delgadillo Text: Keighley Rockcliffe (NASA GSFC, UMBC CSST, CRESS

[MtnClimber]

Explanation: What looks as if it is going to swallow the great Pillars of Creation? The Eagle Nebula (M16) is not a bird, a plane, or Superman. M16 is actually a combination of several celestial objects. NGC 6611 is the young star cluster that appears to peak out beneath the Eagle’s “wings”. The ultraviolet light from these stars ionizes the surrounding gas, creating the emission nebula IC 4703. The Stellar Spire is seen reaching towards the Pillars of Creation from the left. Both are structures of cold gas and dust that are optimal for star formation. Some astronomers previously thought the Pillars of Creation had been evaporated away by a supernova. Because M16 is 6,000 light years away, we would not be able to see the Pillars’ destruction for thousands more years. However, there is no conclusive evidence of the theorized supernova, so the Pillars of Creation will likely continue to create stars for millions of years.

[MtnClimber]

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For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.

[MtnClimber]

[MtnClimber]

Pinging the APOD list

🪐 🌟 🌌 🍔

[mitch5501]

Awesome!

[No name given]

Wow.

[No name given]

Very.

[zeestephen]

Looks like some one forgot to put the pizza box in the refrigerator.

[telescope115]

Nice!

[redinIllinois]

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