Photo credit: science.nasa.gov
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the ESA/Hubble, the European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled a series of new images that revisit remarkable astronomical targets previously captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, enhanced with the latest data and advanced processing techniques.
Recently, the ESA/Hubble team released new images featuring NGC 346 and the iconic Sombrero Galaxy. Now, the focus turns to the renowned Eagle Nebula, which was initially showcased in 2005 during Hubble’s 15th anniversary. This updated imaging utilizes fresh processing methods to highlight the nebula’s intricate features.
At the center of this captivating image lies a towering pillar made of cold gas and dust that measures 9.5 light-years in height. While this remarkable formation is just a fraction of the vast Eagle Nebula, also referred to as Messier 16, its grandeur is unquestionable. The designation Messier 16 pays homage to the French astronomer Charles Messier, known for cataloging celestial objects that could be mistaken for comets.
The breathtaking image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope captures this impressive structure of swirling gas within the Eagle Nebula (Messier 16). Located approximately 7,000 light-years away from our planet, this pillar stands as a testament to the dynamic nature of our universe.
The Eagle Nebula derives its name from its visual resemblance to an eagle with outstretched wings, a profile created by dark clouds that shape its edges. Adjacent to the area shown in the current image are the famed Pillars of Creation, which Hubble has photographed multiple times, with notable images released in 1995 and 2015.
Beyond the visible edges of the image lies the core of the nebula, which houses a cluster of young stars. These stars play a crucial role in sculpting the surroundings, creating vast cavities and delineating otherworldly structures made of gas and dust. One such feature within the nebula is poised like a finger, pointing towards the burgeoning star cluster embedded within the heart of the nebula.
The Eagle Nebula exemplifies the many nebulae in the Milky Way that exhibit intricately formed dusty clouds. These striking shapes result from the influence of stellar winds and intense radiation emitted by young stars. Areas within the nebula that contain denser concentrations of gas are better able to withstand this powerful cosmic barrage, allowing these dense locations to persist as astonishing dust formations, much like the highlighted star pillar visible in the recent images.
This awe-inspiring structure of gas and dust, while only a small section of the Eagle Nebula, continues to inspire wonder. Towering at 9.5 light-years and situated 7,000 light-years from Earth, this remarkable pillar has received renewed attention with innovative processing techniques showcased in the latest Hubble images, marking a special moment in ESA/Hubble’s 35th anniversary celebration. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, K. Noll, N. Bartmann (ESA/Hubble); Music: Stellardrone – Ascent
Having been operational for over 30 years, the Hubble Space Telescope has consistently contributed to expanding our understanding of the cosmos. The Hubble program represents a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, Hubble’s mission operations are supported by Lockheed Martin Space in Denver. Additionally, the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, handles the science operations for NASA.
Source
science.nasa.gov