Pillars of creation eagle

The Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula are one of the most iconic space images, revealing stellar nurseries 7,000 light-years from Earth.

About this subject

The Eagle Nebula (M16) is a star-forming region located in the constellation Serpens, approximately 7,000 light-years from Earth. The Pillars of Creation are structures of interstellar gas and dust that stand out within this nebula. The original image, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995, became an icon of modern astronomy, showing dense columns where new stars are being born.

Each pillar is light-years long and contains gaseous globules (EGGs) that are protostars in formation. The colors in the image represent different chemical elements: hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen ionized by ultraviolet radiation from nearby young, massive stars. In 2015, Hubble revisited the region with its WFC3 camera, offering a more detailed infrared view that penetrates the dust to reveal newborn stars.

The name “Eagle” comes from the nebula's elongated shape, resembling an eagle with outstretched wings. The region serves as a natural laboratory for studying stellar life cycles. The pillars are slowly being eroded by stellar winds and radiation, and may disappear within the next few million years, but new stars will continue to form from the remaining material.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Pillars of Creation?

They are columns of interstellar gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula where new stars are forming. The image was captured by the Hubble Telescope in 1995.

How far are the Pillars of Creation from Earth?

They are located about 7,000 light-years away, in the constellation Serpens.

Do the Pillars of Creation still exist?

Yes, they still exist, but stellar radiation is eroding them. They may disappear within a few million years, but new stars continue to form inside.