Head of Column No. 4 in Eagle Nebula

Enlarged view of the head of Column 4 in the Eagle Nebula. This column is similar to the more familiar ones, but thus far less impacted by the massive stars in NGC6611. The two red nebulosities in the head signpost one or more young stars so deeply embedded that they cannot be seen directly in the VLT infrared image, only indirectly as they illuminate dust around them. One of these sources is thought to be the origin of the Herbig-Haro object HH216 seen in ESO Press Photo eso0142a and ESO Press Photo eso0142b.

Technical information: The region shown measures 1.9 x 2.8 light-years (0.6 x 0.9 pc). The intensity scalings have been adjusted to better show the young stars embedded in the head of each column. North is up and East left.

Credit:

ESO/M.McCaughrean & M.Andersen (AIP)

About the Image

Id:eso0142e
Type:Observation
Release date:20 December 2001
Related releases:eso0142
Size:791 x 598 px

About the Object

Name:Eagle Nebula, Messier 16
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation
Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster
Distance:7000 light years
Constellation:Serpens Cauda
Category:Nebulae

Image Formats

Fullsize Original
1019.5 KB
Large JPEG
161.0 KB
Screensize JPEG
255.9 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
314.5 KB
1280x1024
430.0 KB
1600x1200
559.8 KB
1920x1200
583.5 KB
2048x1536
765.7 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):18 18 59.40
Position (Dec):-13° 52' 50.52"
Field of view:1.00 x 0.75 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.1° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Infrared
J
1.2 μmVery Large Telescope
ISAAC
Infrared
H
1.65 μmVery Large Telescope
ISAAC
Infrared
K
2.16 μmVery Large Telescope
ISAAC