Cosmic Scale
Eagle Nebula
Star-forming nebula · 5,700 light-years
How big is Eagle Nebula?
Eagle Nebula is about 70.0 light-years across.
See Eagle Nebula in 3D, at true scale
The Eagle Nebula is a cloud of gas and dust where new stars are forming, lit by a young cluster at its centre. Inside it stand the Pillars of Creation, made famous by Hubble in 1995.
At a glance
| Diameter | 70.0 light-years |
|---|---|
| Diameter compared with Earth | 5.2 × 10¹⁰ × Earth |
| Distance | 5,700 light-years |
| Size | About 70 light-years |
| Also known as | M16 |
| Pillars | About 4–5 light-years tall |
Good to know
- The pillars are being slowly eroded by light from the hot stars nearby.
- Webb's infrared view in 2022 revealed newborn stars glowing inside them.
- It can be seen with binoculars in the constellation Serpens.
- Next smaller: Orion Nebula · 24.0 light-years
- Next larger: Pleiades · 86.0 light-years