M 16 (OC+N)
Open Cluster + Nebula in Serpens
| R.A. | Dec. | Size | Mag | SB | Cnt.St | Type | Distance | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18h 18m 48.7s | -13° 48′ 27.8″ | 2.0° | 6.0 | 14.4 | II3mn; 3, 3, 3 | OC+N | -- | -- |
Source: POSS-2 UK Schmidt Red (STScI) | Field: 60′ × 60′
Background
M16 is the Eagle Nebula — an emission nebula and embedded open cluster 5,700 light-years away in Serpens Cauda. Famous for the “Pillars of Creation” captured by Hubble — three columns of dense, dusty gas sculpted by the cluster's intense radiation.
My Observing Notes
25-cm (Club 10-inch LX200): With the 31 mm eyepiece in the Club scope, the large patch of nebulosity fills the entire field of view. Adding a UHC filter significantly improves the contrast and brightens the view. An arc of nebulosity vaguely resembles an eagle's wings in flight, but it took some imagination.(Saturday, June 2025)
References
Charts
Ultra-wide view (~25° field)
Wide-field view with Telrad rings (4°, 2°, 0.5°)
Finderscope view (9×50 RACI, ~4.4° TFOV)
Eyepiece view — 35 mm Panoptic on 12-inch f/5 (1.6° TFOV)