The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a breathtaking new image of the Eagle Nebula, revealing a lesser-known pillar within the iconic stellar nursery. Located about 6,500 light-years from Earth, the Eagle Nebula is famous for its towering pillars of gas and dust sculpted by intense stellar radiation. The recent image showcases a pillar of cold gas and dust that is 9.5 light-years tall.
Developed using new data processing techniques since Hubble last studied this region in 2005, the image provides a fresh perspective on the complex textures and effects of ultraviolet radiation from baby stars on the surrounding gas and dust. Astronomers are revisiting exciting targets like the Eagle Nebula to honor the space telescope’s upcoming 35th anniversary.
The nebula is shaped by dense clouds of gas and dust that create an eagle-like silhouette with outstretched wings. A cluster of young stars outside the image has impacted nearby cosmic structures, forming dusty sculptures like the newly imaged pillar. The European Space Agency notes that nebulas take on fantastic shapes when exposed to powerful radiation and winds from infant stars.
This stunning new image is a testament to the power of the Hubble Space Telescope in revealing the wonders of our universe.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/hubble-space-telescope/colorful-eagle-nebula-glows-in-stunning-new-image-from-hubble-telescope