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Created page with "{{Night Sky | image = | designation =Messier 16 IC 4703 | rightascension =18<sup>h</sup> 18<sup>m</sup> 48<sup>s</sup> | declination..."
{{Night Sky
| image =
| designation =[[Messier catalogue|Messier 16]]
IC 4703
| rightascension =18<sup>h</sup> 18<sup>m</sup> 48<sup>s</sup>
| declination =-13° 49′ 0″
| distance =7,000 ly
| constellation =[[Serpens]]
| type =[[Emission nebula]]
| dimensions =
| magnitude =6.0
| redshift =
| radvelocity =
| propmotion =
| parallax =
}}
The '''Eagle nebula''', also known as the Star Queen nebula, is a [[diffuse nebula]] in the [[constellation]] of [[Serpens]].<ref name=seds>[http://www.messier.seds.org/m/m016.html M16] from messier.seds.org</ref> Specifically, it is an emission nebula that also contains an [[Open cluster|open star cluster]]. It is known for containing the Pillars of creation, famously photographed by the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] in 1995.<ref name=messier-objects>[http://www.messier-objects.com/messier-16-eagle-nebula/ Eagle nebula] from messier-objects.com</ref> The nebula itself is also classified as IC 4703 and the open cluster it houses is classified as NGC 6611.<ref name=messier-objects/> Its name is derived from its appearance as an [[eagle]] with outstretched wings.
==History==
The nebula was discovered by [[Charles Messier]] in 1764 during his search for [[comet|comet like]] objects, though the star cluster was discovered two decades earlier in 1745/1746 by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux.<ref name=seds/> Messier found the nebula independently of Chéseaux, as Chéseaux only described a collection of [[star]]s. First photographed in 1895, its name as the Star Queen nebula was coined by Robert Burnham, Jr., as the middle pillar in the nebula reminded him of the outline of the Star Queen.<ref name=messier-objects/>
==Properties and Structure==
The nebula has an estimated [[mass (science)|mass]] over 12,000 times greater than the [[Sun]].<ref name=constellation-guide>[http://www.constellation-guide.com/eagle-nebula-messier-16/ Eagle nebula] from constellation-guide.com</ref> The nebula itself is 55 light years wide and 70 light years tall, while the cluster it contains has a [[radius]] of around 15 light years.<ref name=messier-objects/>
===Star Cluster===
The [[open cluster]] M16 contains is home to about 460 [[star]]s.<ref name=constellation-guide/> As the cluster is irregular, it is classified as a type c cluster. It contains large numbers of class O and B stars, O stars extremely large and luminous; they are perhaps 80 more massive than the Sun and at least a million times brighter.<ref name=messier-objects/> Their high [[temperature]] means that they also produce copious amounts of [[x-rays]] as well as [[ultraviolet]] radiation that illuminates the nebula.
===Pillars of Creation===
The Pillars of Creation are a group of three huge [[gas]] pillars found in the Eagle nebula. It was named after an image by the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] in 1995.<ref>[http://www.messier-objects.com/pillars-of-creation/ Pillars of Creation] from messier-objects.com</ref> [[Star]]s contained within the pillars are a strong source of ultraviolet radiation and stellare wind that is slowly blowing the pillars apart. These stars are extremely hot, with temperatures of over 30,000 k, six times hotter that the Sun.
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Nebulae}}
[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:Nebulae]]
[[Category:Messier Objects]]
| image =
| designation =[[Messier catalogue|Messier 16]]
IC 4703
| rightascension =18<sup>h</sup> 18<sup>m</sup> 48<sup>s</sup>
| declination =-13° 49′ 0″
| distance =7,000 ly
| constellation =[[Serpens]]
| type =[[Emission nebula]]
| dimensions =
| magnitude =6.0
| redshift =
| radvelocity =
| propmotion =
| parallax =
}}
The '''Eagle nebula''', also known as the Star Queen nebula, is a [[diffuse nebula]] in the [[constellation]] of [[Serpens]].<ref name=seds>[http://www.messier.seds.org/m/m016.html M16] from messier.seds.org</ref> Specifically, it is an emission nebula that also contains an [[Open cluster|open star cluster]]. It is known for containing the Pillars of creation, famously photographed by the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] in 1995.<ref name=messier-objects>[http://www.messier-objects.com/messier-16-eagle-nebula/ Eagle nebula] from messier-objects.com</ref> The nebula itself is also classified as IC 4703 and the open cluster it houses is classified as NGC 6611.<ref name=messier-objects/> Its name is derived from its appearance as an [[eagle]] with outstretched wings.
==History==
The nebula was discovered by [[Charles Messier]] in 1764 during his search for [[comet|comet like]] objects, though the star cluster was discovered two decades earlier in 1745/1746 by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux.<ref name=seds/> Messier found the nebula independently of Chéseaux, as Chéseaux only described a collection of [[star]]s. First photographed in 1895, its name as the Star Queen nebula was coined by Robert Burnham, Jr., as the middle pillar in the nebula reminded him of the outline of the Star Queen.<ref name=messier-objects/>
==Properties and Structure==
The nebula has an estimated [[mass (science)|mass]] over 12,000 times greater than the [[Sun]].<ref name=constellation-guide>[http://www.constellation-guide.com/eagle-nebula-messier-16/ Eagle nebula] from constellation-guide.com</ref> The nebula itself is 55 light years wide and 70 light years tall, while the cluster it contains has a [[radius]] of around 15 light years.<ref name=messier-objects/>
===Star Cluster===
The [[open cluster]] M16 contains is home to about 460 [[star]]s.<ref name=constellation-guide/> As the cluster is irregular, it is classified as a type c cluster. It contains large numbers of class O and B stars, O stars extremely large and luminous; they are perhaps 80 more massive than the Sun and at least a million times brighter.<ref name=messier-objects/> Their high [[temperature]] means that they also produce copious amounts of [[x-rays]] as well as [[ultraviolet]] radiation that illuminates the nebula.
===Pillars of Creation===
The Pillars of Creation are a group of three huge [[gas]] pillars found in the Eagle nebula. It was named after an image by the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] in 1995.<ref>[http://www.messier-objects.com/pillars-of-creation/ Pillars of Creation] from messier-objects.com</ref> [[Star]]s contained within the pillars are a strong source of ultraviolet radiation and stellare wind that is slowly blowing the pillars apart. These stars are extremely hot, with temperatures of over 30,000 k, six times hotter that the Sun.
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Nebulae}}
[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:Nebulae]]
[[Category:Messier Objects]]