An Eagle in the night sky

Newborn stars are forming in the Eagle Nebula, pictured on right.

This image, taken last month by Winston Grech using a 110 mm diameter refracting telescope, shows evaporating gaseous globules (EGGs) emerging from pillars of hydrogen gas and dust.

The giant pillars are light years in length and are so dense that interior gas contracts gravitationally to form stars.

At each pillar’s end, the intense radiation of bright young stars causes low density material to boil away, leaving stellar nurseries of dense EGGs exposed.

The beautiful colours are due to the varying elements in the composition of the gases making up these nebulae. The Eagle Nebula, associated with the open star cluster M16, lies about 6,500 light years away and spans 20 light years across.

It is visible with binoculars during this time of year when looking toward the constellation of the ­Serpent (Serpens).

Mr Pace is president of the Astronomical Society of Malta info@maltastro.org

Events in the night sky this month:

(For up to date information join the Astronomical Society of Malta’group on Facebook)