Cosmic Birds

Messier 16, also known as the Eagle Nebula, is a young open cluster of stars surrounded by a region of active star formation. Located approximately 7,000 light-years away in the constellation Serpens, it is famous for the iconic "Pillars of Creation"—columns of gas and dust illuminated by nearby newborn stars.

Messier 17, commonly called the Omega Nebula or Swan Nebula, is a bright emission nebula situated about 5,000 to 6,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius.