Go to: DIRTY BIRD The Eagle Nebula, a glowing dust cloud, seems to contain a flying bird of prey. The pillars and bubbles of dust and gas in the interior reveal cosmic nurseries that still produce stars. And some bright young stars shine through the haze. Also known as M16, the nebula is located 6,500 light-years away near the constellation Serpens. This composite image came from the Kitt Peak Observatory in Arizona, but the nebula can also be seen with binoculars. (06/26/02)