To the stargazers out there, let’s take a journey nearly 7,000 light-years away from earth through our cosmic wonderland otherwise known as space, where towering pillars of gas and dust form the birth of stars.
In the northern celestial hemisphere of the night sky, in the constellation Serpens (The Serpent) we have the Eagle Nebula (Messier 16 or M16). In the very heart of the Eagle Nebula (M16), the famous ‘Pillars of Creation’ stand. They stretch around 4-5 light years while the eagle nebula spans 70 by 55 light years. Although they are relatively small in comparison to the nebula itself, they stand as extraordinary monuments in show of the raw creative power the universe holds.
The Eagle Nebula was first discovered by a Swiss astronomer named Jean-Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745. However the “pillars of creation” had then later been discovered by John Charles Duncan in 1920 on a plate made with the Mount Wilson Observatory 60-inch telescope.
The hot, young stars also known as NGC 6611 within the eagle nebula release powerful stellar winds and intense ultraviolet light that push the surrounding gas and dust back, which help to sculpt and carve the Pillars and other features within the nebula, but are also eroding them at the same time.
The pillars are a star nursery as they are collapsing under their own gravity, leading to the creation of new stars and planets, thus giving the name “pillars of creation” meaning.
The Eagle Nebula. Image Credit: Wikipedia
These massive clouds of wonder were first captured on photograph in 1995 in astounding detail by the Hubble Space Telescope. They not only intrigue and entrance with their ethereal beauty but they also hold the secrets behind how stars are born, showing us a glimpse into the cosmic phenomenon that lights up our universe. The beautiful photograph taken by the Hubble Space Telescope is composed of 32 different images. The photograph was made using light emitted by multiple elements that appear in the cloud and they all appear as different colours in the composed image, these colours include green for hydrogen, red for singly ionized sulphur and blue for double-ionized oxygen atoms.
In June 2024 NASA released new 3d visuals by images from both the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope. These visuals allow viewers to experience the pillars and see how they look different in visible light made by the Hubble space telescope versus infrared light made by the James Webb space telescope.
The ‘Pillars of Creation’. Image Credit: NASAThe best viewing time for the eagle nebula is during the summer months in the northern hemisphere. While it may be visible through binoculars it is recommended to use a telescope during a dark sky with minimal light pollution for the best viewing experience. It is also recommended to let your eyes adjust to the night sky for at least 30 minutes before so why not try to spot some other constellations like Ursa Major (The Great Bear). To locate the Serpens constellation in which the eagle nebula is home to you must first locate Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer). As Serpens is a string of stars that wraps around Ophiuchus. If you’re struggling to find Serpens, use a star chart or a mobile app to help you locate it. The pillars of creation can also be observed with a telescope; however, it may depend on the size of the telescope and the night sky conditions. A telescope with a minimum aperture of 250mm is generally recommended for visual observation.
source: armaghplanet.com