M16, aka NGC 6611, aka
the Eagle Nebula, is in
Serpens, near the borders
between Serpens, Scutum,
and Sagittarius, and about
8000 lightyears distant. As
you gaze upon the Eagle,
you are witnessing the birth
of new suns -- their energy
causing the surrounding
gases to glow. Compare
with other stellar nurseries,
such as M42 and M20.
RCOS 16" RC @ f/11.3
Apogee U47 imager
ST 402 guider

Data acquired remotely at CTIO in
Chile. Processed with CCDsoft,
CCDInspector, Sigma Combine,
Neat Image, and Adobe PS.

This bicolor image was obtained by
processing 4 hours of Ha data and
4 hours of OIII data in 2 different
ways. First, a RGB was produced,
using R=Ha, G=OIII, and B=OIII.
This is legitimate, since the "color"
of the OIII emission line at 501nm
is considered "teal" -- right between
the blue and green portions of the
spectrum. Then a second image
was produced using Steve
Cannistra's modified bicolor
technique, which synthesizes a
green channel from the other 2.
Finally, the 2 versions were
combined in Photoshop with 50/50
weighting.
         M16, the Eagle Nebula
      Click on image to enlarge