An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

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).

Etymology (EN): 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.

Etymology (PE): Miq, → nebula; &#352âhin, → aquila.