M16 is a large and relatively bright emission nebula in Serpens. The nickname, "Eagle Nebula" comes from the appearence of several dark patches of nebulosity silhouetted against the bright regions. Only a little imagination is required to picture an eagle flying along with prey in its talons. Unfortunately, this is not visible to the eye without a large telescope.

Imbedded within the nebula a bright open cluster. Some people believe that it was the open cluster to which Messier refered when compiling his catalogue. Hence they apply the designation of M16/NGC 6611 to the cluster, and designate the nebula as IC 4703. In general however, when most people refer to M16, they are refering to the nebula.

45 minutes exposure on Fuji Super HG II 400 film
300mm f/2.8 Canon lens.

To the south of M16 is the emission nebula, M17, also known as the Omega Nebula or the Swan Nebula. The large, faint nebula towards the top of the photograph is Sharpless 2-54. There are several other very faint Sharpless nebulae between M16 and M17.

45 minutes exposure on Fuji Super HG II 400 film
5" f/5 refractor, prime focus.

To the west (right) of M16 is the small open cluster Trumper 32, while to the east, is the faint emission nebula, Sharpless 2-48.

45 minutes exposure on Fuji Super HG V 400 film
300mm f/6 newtonian, prime focus.

Combination of 51, 30 second images. Modified Canon Digital Rebel DSLR camera.
Canon 55mm f/3.5 lens.

311 second exposure. Modified Canon Digital Rebel DSLR camera.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

Combination of 60, 1 minute images using an H-alpha filter.
SBIG ST-8XE CCD camera. 100mm f/4 Nikon lens.

Combination of 12, 2 minute images.
SBIG ST-9E CCD, 300mm f/4 Tamron lens.

Combination of 12, 2 minute images.
SBIG ST-9E CCD 10" f/6.3 schmidt-cassegrain at prime focus.

Combination of 30, 1 minute images.
SBIG ST-9XE CCD 300mm f/6 newtonian at prime focus.

Combination of 30 minutes red, 30 minutes green, and 30 minutes blue, using 3 minute sub-exposures.
SBIG ST-8XE CCD. 5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

Combination of the above image and 60 minutes H-alpha as the luminance layer.
SBIG ST-9E CCD 10" f/6.3 schmidt-cassegrain at prime focus.

Combination of 15 3-minute images with red, green, and blue filters.
SBIG ST-9XE CCD. 5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

Combination of 30 1-minute images with red, green, and blue filters.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

Combination of 20, 1 minute images using a clear filter and
10, 1 minute images each with red, green and blue filters.
SBIG ST-8XE CCD. 8" f/6.3 schmidt-cassegrain at prime focus.