(Photo: nasa.gov)
The space agency is exploring the Pillars of Creation in Eagle Nebula (Messier 16 or M16) using the Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories. Here’s what it learned about star formations.
The journey starts from our Milky Way galaxy, zooming in on the Pillars of Creation—a vast scale change of over 10,000 times.
This shift uncovers a cosmic scene filled with stars and dust clouds, ending at the star-forming Eagle Nebula.
In the nebula's core, strong winds and bright light from young, hot stars shape the distinctive pillar forms.
These towering structures, visible in Hubble's imagery, are created by the interaction of stellar energy with surrounding dust and gas.
Scientists and artists crafted a detailed 3D model of the pillars using astronomical data, which navigates around and through the pillars.
What appears as three pillars in flat images separates into four distinct dust clouds in the 3D model, each emitting ionised gas.
The exploration shifts between Hubble's visible light and Webb's infrared perspectives, showcasing unique views of the nebula.
These telescopes complement each other, providing insights into different scientific aspects of the star-forming regions.
Known as the Pillars of Creation, these formations nurture new stars within their dusty confines.
The visual tour showcases different stages of star formation, illustrating the dynamic processes shaping our universe.