M16

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Images

I recently pointed my Samyang 12mm southeast over the glow of downtown Monroe to capture a time lapse from dusk until dawn. The Milky Way even lurks over bright downtown Monroe, if you know how to find it.
The Milky Way visits Monroe
During the trek up a 1-mile, 1,200-foot fire service road to reach the lookout, we encountered thunder (but not lightning), a black bear, storm clouds and more. However, later that evening the skies clear and this happened. After verifying the Milky Way was visible with my 12mm lens, I decided to switch to the 50mm lens.
The Milky Way viewed from a fire tower lookout
The haunting image of massive interstellar dust pillars captured by the Hubble telescope existed only in myth until I saw them stand out distinctly against the background in one of my first photos of M16, the Eagle Nebula. Those images felt unfished. Hopefully, this one is ready. I present M16 and the Pillars of Creation.
⭐ Bright Eagle
One of two Milky Way shots from the Macabuca bar in Grand Cayman.
Macabuca's Milky Way
The Milky Way as it arched over Snoqualmie Point Park.
⭐ Milky Way in the Snoqualmie Sky
I only spent 30 minutes imaging the heart of the Eagle Nebula (M16) commonly known as the Pillars of Creation. This shot is a combination of RGB and Hydrogen alpha.
The Pillars of Creation
The Eagle Nebula spreads its wings along the spine of the Milky Way. It embraces massive pillars of star-forming dust known as the Pillars of Creation.
M16: Portrait of the Eagle Nebula
Venus is partially covered by clouds. To the left rises the core of the Milky Way.
The Milky Way over Venus
This glimpse of star-filled skies features a dense part of the Milky Way.
A Glimpse of the Milky Way
Located along the 'spine' of the Milky Way near several other popular nebulae, M16 has many names from the Star Queen to the Eagle Nebula. A vast emission nebula, at its heart lies the fabled Pillars of Creation. Just over 3 hours exposure went into this image.
⭐ M16 Eagle Nebula
M16 is called the Eagle Nebula due to its overall shape, but it's the smoky columns that span lightyears in height that make it famous. The columns are called the Pillars of Creation.
M16: The Eagle Nebula
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Videos

Join me for a night of viewing. I observed several nebulae (the Iris Nebula, the Dumbbell Nebula, and the Eagle Nebula) and the moon all night until 3am when the planets Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter appeared in that order.
May 21, 2022 - planets, nebulae, and more
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