Wider field image from which above image was magnified. Note the faint extensions of luminous matter, as well as dark patterns, beyond the field of the previous image. While the bright, reddish regions are gaseous clouds of photo-ionized hydrogen, the dark lanes are thought to be condensations of dusty matter which might collapse and form more stars at one time.

This color photo, also created from photographic plates taken with the Anglo-Australian Telescope by David Malin, shows the central region of the Eagle Nabula and M16.

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Last Modification: July 7, 1999