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The Eagle Nebula is the subject of the most famous Hubble Space Telescope photo,
the "pillars of creation" image which shows columns of cool hydrogen gas and
dust protruding from a molecular cloud.
New stars are being formed within these clouds.
A young, hot cluster of stars lights up this emission nebula in the Sagittarius spiral arm of the Milky Way,
which is a treasure trove for amateur astronomers.
Many nights can be spent with the naked eye and binoculars scanning this area.
Visible as a hazy patch under dark skies with the unaided eye.
The view through binoculars can be breathtaking with M16, M17, M18 and M24 framed in the same
field of view against the background glow of the Milky Way.
M16 itself is an open cluster surrounded by a haze of nebulosity.
Although not as spectacular as in photographs,
this is nonetheless a tantalizing object best seen in binoculars and
with low power in telescopes.
Careful observation with a larger instrument and
nebular filter helps to reveal more visual detail and structure.
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