M16 in Serpens cauda. This is an open cluster associated with an emmision nebula that contains the famed "Pillars of Creation" that were imaged by the Hubble Space telescope. The pillars are visible in the center of what visually appears to be an eagle- like nebulosity. The pillars are some 20 trillion miles long and consist of evaporating hydrogen that is driven by intense UV radiation of young stars. I hope to reimage this as conditions allow to get even better resolution of a truly mystical sight!
Brandon 130 f/8 APO, Canon 10D, Breckenridge, CO, July 2005