Object: Eagle/Messier 16/NGC 6611

View full image: IU_Bicentennial_Eagle_Nebula.jpg

Caption: This massive star-forming complex in the constellation Serpens is home to many hot young stars that heat the surrounding gas to high temperature. The famous "Pillars of Creation" image from the Hubble Space Telescope lies at the heart of the Eagle.

Image credit: L. van Zee, G. Rowe, & IU Astronomy

This project was partially funded by the Daniel Kirkwood Chair, the Hollis and Grete Johnson Astronomy Endowment funds, and from the Office of the Bicentennial.