Messier 16 — Emission Nebula in Serpens

M16, the Eagle Nebula, is a young open star cluster embedded in a large emission nebula (IC 4703) in the constellation Serpens Cauda, located about 7,000 light-years from Earth. The cluster itself contains about 460 stars and is only about 5.5 million years old. The surrounding nebula spans about 70 by 55 light-years and is a massive star-forming region. M16 is best known for the iconic 'Pillars of Creation' — towering columns of gas and dust photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995, where new stars are actively being born.

Located in the Serpens-Sagittarius region of the Milky Way, about 2.5 degrees north of M17. At magnitude 6.0, the cluster is visible in binoculars as a hazy patch. A telescope at 50-75x reveals a loose cluster of stars embedded in faint nebulosity. An OIII or UHC nebula filter dramatically enhances the surrounding emission nebula. With a 6-inch or larger telescope and a filter, the dark pillars that form the Pillars of Creation can be glimpsed under excellent conditions. Best observed from July through September.

Discovered by Philippe Loys de Cheseaux around 1745-46. Charles Messier cataloged it in 1764, noting the cluster embedded in a faint glow. The nebula was first photographed in detail in the early 20th century. The Hubble Space Telescope's 1995 image of the Pillars of Creation became one of the most iconic astronomical photographs ever taken.