NebulaCharles Lillom16, EAGLE NEBUAL, the pillars of creation, Hubble PaletteComment

Eagle Nebula (M16)

NebulaCharles Lillom16, EAGLE NEBUAL, the pillars of creation, Hubble PaletteComment

Also known as M16, the Eagle Nebula is a 5.5 million year old molecular hydrogen gas cloud the dust stretching approximately 70 x 55 light years. Gravity pulls the clouds of gas together collapsing inward. Enough gas is present triggering nuclear fusion, igniting in the center, and the compacting clouds into new stars. The Eagle Nebula is thought to have several star-forming regions within it.

Mi16 HA,SII, OII

This image of M16 was taken over a period of 4 night,s in very light polluted skies in south Florida. Processed in whats known as the "Hubble Pallet", even in light polluted skies you can gather some very deep data if you have the correct filters. 

Here are the stacked master files used to create this image.


I’ve been a dedicated to Squarespace fan for 20 years. Love the product, people and company.

NebulaCharles LilloM16, EAGLE NEBUAL, PILARS O CREATIONComment

M16, The Eagle Nebula

Evidence from the Spitzer Space Telescope suggests that the pillars in M16 may already have been destroyed by a supernova explosion.  Due to the distance of the nebula, the light from the supernova would have reached Earth between 1000 and 2000 years ago. The more slowly moving shock wave from the supernova light showing us the destruction will not reach the Earth for another millennium.

NebulaCharles LilloM16, EAGLE NEBUAL, PILARS O CREATIONComment
M16, The Eagle Nebula