Within the Eagle Nebula (IC 4703), a billowing cloud of interstellar gas and dust  has entered an active phase of star formation.  Open star cluster M16 (NGC 6611) is emerging in the upper right corner of this great gaseous and dusty cloud.  Ultraviolet radiation from these young and massive hot stars excite the hydrogen gas in the surrounding Eagle Nebula to shine by red emission light.  The nebula continues to form new stars near the dark central area of condensation, which Hubble photographers have called "The Pillars of Creation".  The Eagle Nebula and M16 reside at 7,000 light-years distance from Earth. 

IMAGE DETAILS:

• Date & Location:  August 28 & 29, 2010  - Bernville, PA

• Weather:  Calm, 61F & 67F.

• Sky Conditions:  Clear with average transparency. 

• Optics:  TeleVue NP101is Refractor with 0.8x TeleVue Reducer = 432mm @ f4.3

• Filter:  Astronomic  EOS clip-in CLS-CCD (Light Pollution Suppression)

• Mount:  Losmandy G-11 equatorial with Gemini V4

• Guiding:  Orion Solitaire w/TeleVue TV60is

• Camera:  Canon T1i (500D) Hap Griffin Modified - Baader UV/IR

• Exposure:  45 min (3 x 5min and 6 x 5 min) @ ISO 800 RAW

• Calibration Frames:  In Camera Dark Noise Reduction

• Processing:  Images Plus 3.82b, Photoshop CS4, Noise Ninja, NIK

• Comments:  The above image is a 100% crop of the main nebula & "Pillars of Creation". Somehow at this size and resolution those pillars always remind me of "Godzilla!"