Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula (M16)

This image showcases the famous Pillars of Creation — towering structures of interstellar gas and dust within the Eagle Nebula (Messier 16), located around 7,000 light-years away in the constellation Serpens.

The focus is on the central star-forming region, where the pillars themselves stretch up to 4 to 5 light-years in height, making them among the most iconic and immense stellar nurseries in our galaxy.

Captured under the skies of the United Arab Emirates using a 152mm Maksutov-Newtonian telescope and a ZWO ASI183MM Pro cooled mono camera.

Narrowband exposures:
• Hα: 2h 42min
• OIII: 2h 30min
• SII: 1h 18min
Total Integration: 6h 30min

Processed in the Hubble Palette (SHO) using PixInsight and Photoshop to bring out the fine textures and colors of this cosmic formation.

Telescope: Explore Scientific 152mm David H. Levy Comet Hunter Maksutov-Newtonian
Camera: ZWO ASI183MM Pro (Mono, Cooled)
Filters: Narrowband SII, Hα, and OIII (SHO palette)
Mount: iOptron HAE43 Equatorial Mount
Control & Guiding: ASIAir+

Exposure Details:
Hα: 54 x 180s = 2h 42min
OIII: 50 x 180s = 2h 30min
SII: 26 x 180s = 1h 18min
Total Integration: 6h 30min

Processing Software: PixInsight & Photoshop