M 16

Open star cluster M16 has formed from a great gaseous and dusty cloud, the diffuse Eagle nebula IC 4703, which is now caused to shine by emission light, excited by the high-energy radiation of its massive hot, young stars. It is actually still in the process of forming new stars, this formation taking place near the dark "elephant trunks" which are well visible in our photograph, and the other images of M16 collected here. A deeper insight in the star formation process could be obtained from the HST images of M16, published in November 1995.

M16 is some 7,000 light years distant.

Bill Arnett's Eagle Nebula &. M16 photo page, info page.

Right ascension	18 : 16.0 (hours : minutes)
Declination	-13 : 48 (degrees : minutes)
Distance	7.0 (light-years*10^3)
Visual magnitude	6.4