Eagle Nebula
Emission nebula

Eagle Nebula

M 16 · Serpens
These photons are ~7,000 years old
LP
Date
2026-06-14
Location
35.5307° N, 23.8104° E
Integration
35m (211 × 10s)
Software
ZWO Seestar app
Notes
—
Plate solve
Centre RA
18h 18m 38.3s
Centre Dec
−13° 44′ 35″
Field
42.7′ × 76.0′
Pixel scale
1.19″/px
Orientation
150.0° E of N
TelescopeZWO Seestar S50
CameraZWO Seestar S50 Camera
RigFamily Holiday Rig
Captured from · Ελλάς
35.5307° N, 23.8104° E · open map ↗

Where to find it

Interactive sky chart centred on 18 18 38.3 -13 44 35, with constellation stick figures overlaid. Locate shows the whole constellation with the target ringed; Field zooms to the close-up. Drag to pan, scroll to zoom, click any star to identify it. Imagery: DSS colour survey via CDS Aladin Lite. Constellation figures © Dominic Ford (GPLv3).

The site of the iconic “Pillars of Creation” — towering columns of gas and dust sculpted by radiation from the young star cluster at the centre. A superb narrowband target; Hα, SII, and OIII reveal extraordinary structure in the surrounding nebula.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of object is M 16?
M 16 is an emission nebula.
Which constellation is M 16 in?
M 16 lies in the constellation Serpens.
How far away is M 16?
The light in this image left M 16 roughly ~7,000 years ago, so that is how far back in time you are seeing it.
What are the coordinates of M 16?
M 16 sits at right ascension 18h 18m 38s and declination −13° 44′ 35″ (J2000).
When is the best time to photograph M 16?
M 16 rides highest in the evening sky around June, reaching about 23° above the horizon from around 54°N.
What equipment was used to photograph M 16?
This image of M 16 was captured with ZWO Seestar S50 and ZWO Seestar S50 Camera.
How much exposure time went into this image?
This image of M 16 represents 35m (211 × 10s) of total integration time.