An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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A prominent → H II region in the constellation → Serpens lying about 2 kpc away from the Sun. It measures about 30' across and surrounds the open cluster → M16 (NGC 6611), which contains at least 20 stars of spectral type B0.5 or earlier, including one 05V. At a projected distance from the cluster of about 2 pc, where the H II region has expanded into surrounding → molecular cloud, a striking → elephant trunk morphology or → pillar results. The nebula is the site of ongoing → star formation, especially in these pillar structures. The Eagle Nebula is often erroneously given the cluster's designation (M16).

Eagle, because the nebula's shape is vaguely reminiscent of an eagle in flight; from M.E. egle, from O.Fr. egle, from O.Prov. aigla, from L. → aquila "black eagle;" → nebula.

Miq, → nebula; Šâhin, → aquila.