M16
The Eagle Nebula



M16 (NGC 6611), the Eagle Nebula is both an open star cluster and a large bright area of emission nebulosity. It is located in the south east corner of Serpens Cauda, close to the Scutum boundary. Within M16 are several complex star forming regions, the most noteworthy of which is variously referred to as the "Star Queen and her Throne" or the "Towering Pillars" (made famous by the HST image). Towards the centre in this photograph, it is a giant structure more than 6 light years from end to end. Another giant star forming region is the "elephant trunk" structure to the north east. M16 is about 7,000 light years distant and was probably first observed by the Swiss astronomer P.L. de Cheseaux in 1746. It was catalogued by Charles Messier in June 1764, who was also the first person to note the nebulosity surrounding the star cluster.



I am rather in with this nebula...

the first one looks like a big penis

heyduckie said:

Then the second looks like a lil penis, as the first is a close up of the second.

You penis.

GooeyTheHamster said:

lol, what can i say i like penis.

I mean, it is all about what pre-occupies the brain, it seems.

Some people see an eagle in the nebula, hence the bleedin' name, but I see a horse that is on it's hind legs.

I love these pictures so much. There is still so much we do not know and as we have found out throughout the ages hwo humanity handles knowledge, I think it is maybe better that way.