鹰状星云和朋友
(原标题: The Eagle Nebula and Friends)
2026-06-10
浏览次数: 2963
什么看起来像是要吞下伟大的创造之柱？鹰状星云（M16）不是鸟，不是飞机，也不是超人。M16实际上是几个天体的组合。NGC 6611是一个年轻的星团，似乎在鹰的“翅膀”下达到顶峰。这些恒星发出的紫外线电离了周围的气体，形成了发射星云IC 4703。从左边可以看到恒星尖塔伸向创造之柱。两者都是低温气体和尘埃的结构，最适合恒星形成。一些天文学家以前认为创世之柱是被超新星蒸发掉的。因为M16离我们6000光年远，我们要再过几千年才能看到柱状星云的毁灭。然而，没有确凿的证据证明理论上的超新星，所以创造之柱可能会继续创造数百万年的恒星。
查看原文解释
What looks as if it is going to swallow the great Pillars of Creation? The Eagle Nebula (M16) is not a bird, a plane, or Superman. M16 is actually a combination of several celestial objects. NGC 6611 is the young star cluster that appears to peak out beneath the Eagle’s “wings”. The ultraviolet light from these stars ionizes the surrounding gas, creating the emission nebula IC 4703. The Stellar Spire is seen reaching towards the Pillars of Creation from the left. Both are structures of cold gas and dust that are optimal for star formation. Some astronomers previously thought the Pillars of Creation had been evaporated away by a supernova. Because M16 is 6,000 light years away, we would not be able to see the Pillars’ destruction for thousands more years. However, there is no conclusive evidence of the theorized supernova, so the Pillars of Creation will likely continue to create stars for millions of years.
© Emmanuel Delgadillo Text: Keighley Rockcliffe (NASA GSFC, UMBC CSST, CRESST II)