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Eagle Nebula’s Pillars of Creation in Infrared

Pillars of creation
NASA, ESA/Hubble and the Hubble Heritage Team

Human eyes can see only a small portion of the range of radiation given off by the objects around us. We call this wide array of radiation the electromagnetic spectrum, and the part we can see visible light.

In this Hubble Space Telescope image, researchers revisited one of Hubble's most iconic and popular images: the Eagle Nebula’s Pillars of Creation.

Here, the pillars are seen in infrared light, which pierces through obscuring dust and gas and unveil a more unfamiliar — but just as amazing — view of the pillars. The better-known image is of the pillars in visible light.

In this ethereal view the entire frame is peppered with bright stars and baby stars are revealed being formed within the pillars themselves. The ghostly outlines of the pillars seem much more delicate, and are silhouetted against an eerie blue haze.

Explore how light affects the images we see. Find more online activities on Hubble Inspires.

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Last Updated
Oct 04, 2023
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NASA Hubble Mission Team
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