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The Eagle Nebula

The Eagle Nebula


Depicts: M16, The Eagle Nebula, NGC 6611
Copyright: Jeff Hester and Paul Scowen (Arizona State University), and NASA

This eerie, dark structure, resembling an imaginary sea serpent's head, is a column of cool molecular hydrogen gas (two atoms of hydrogen in each molecule) and dust that is an incubator for new stars. The stars are embedded inside finger-like protrusions extending from the top of the nebula. Each "fingertip" is somewhat larger than our own solar system.
Last Update: 1 September 2019
28-Mar-2024 20:45 UT

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