The Eagle Nebula (Messier 16, or M16) is an H II region located in the constellation Serpens, about 7,000 light-years from Earth. This nebula is famous for its Pillars of Creation, giant columns of gas and dust where new stars are born. Observations in visible and infrared light have revealed the complex structure of these pillars, which are sculpted by stellar winds and ultraviolet radiation from nearby massive stars.
The pillars are several light-years long and are composed mainly of molecular gas and dust. The combined action of gravity and radiative pressures causes the fragmentation of clouds and the formation of dense clumps at their tips. Hydrodynamic models suggest that ionized fronts move at speeds of the order of 10 to 20 km/s, gradually eroding the columns.
Within M16, protostars form in the dense regions of the pillars. Intense UV radiation ionizes the surrounding gas, creating dense globules called EGGs that can eventually become full-fledged stars. Spectroscopic analysis reveals the presence of molecules such as CO, H2, and ions of sulfur and oxygen, essential for the chemistry of star-forming regions.
Here is a table comparing some physical characteristics of the Eagle Nebula and other famous H II regions:
| Region | Size (light-years) | Temperature (K) | Average Density (cm-3) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Nebula (M16) | ~70 × 55 | 8,000 | 500 to 2,000 | Pillars of Creation, EGGs, formation of open clusters |
| Orion Nebula (M42) | ~24 | 10,000 | 1,000 to 5,000 | Close, massive star formation, easy observation |
| Lagoon Nebula (M8) | ~110 | 8,500 | 300 to 1,500 | Complex of young stars, ionized gas |
The Eagle Nebula: Stellar Nursery and Pillars of Creation 
Composition of Interstellar Dust 
Heart and Soul Nebulae: Giant H II Regions 
Interstellar Clouds: The Dark Forests of the Galaxy 
The Black River: Dark Silhouette of the Milky Way 
Nebula NGC 3603: One of the Largest Massive Star Factories 
The Cone Nebula and the Christmas Tree Cluster: A Stellar Nursery in the Making 
The Tarantula Nebula: A Cosmic Jewel 
The Rosette Nebula: A Stellar Nursery in Full Bloom 
NGC 346: A Stellar Nursery in the Small Magellanic Cloud 
Nebula NGC 2170: A Kaleidoscope of Dust and Light 
The Helix Nebula: When a Star Dies 
Nebulae: Cosmic Clouds of Gas and Dust 
The Witch Head Nebula: Phantom of the Cosmos 
Diffuse, Dark, and Planetary Nebulae: A Physical Classification 
Carina: A Nebula More Active than the Horsehead and Orion Combined? 
The Orion Nebula: A Stellar Nursery 
The Crab Nebula M1: Remnant of a Historical Supernova 
Planetary nebulae 
The light and dark of nebulae 
Coatlicue: The Mother Nebula of the Sun and the Solar System