Messier 16 (M 16) - IC 4703

Introduction | Map | Find/Identify | Sketch | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos

On this page I collect my observations of the open star cluster M 16 (NGC 6611), located in the galactic nebula IC 4703 (Eagle Nebula), in the constellation Serpens/Serpent (Serpens Cauda/Head of the Serpent).

Introduction

According to Stoyan, M 16 is considered as the most beautiful open star cluster in the constellation Serpens/Serpent (Serpens Cauda/Tail of the Serpent). Usually, however, it is simply called "Eagle Nebula" after the galactic nebula IC 4703, the Eagle Nebula, in which it is embedded. But actually these are two different objects. Visually, I have only managed to see the star cluster so far, not the embedding nebula. With the eVscope(2) and Vespera, however, I was also able to see the nebula. However, the pillars of creation are difficult to find because they are only partially visible.

M 16 / IC 4703
Size: 10' / 45' x 20' (Stoyan)
Distance: 5.700 / 5.700 light years (Stoyan)
Rating: *** / * (Stoyan)

Map

The open star cluster M 16 (Eagle Nebula) in the neighborhood of Scutum/Shield and Sagitta (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Find/Identify

Find: The open star cluster M 16 (Eagle Nebula) in the constellation Serpens Cauda is located at the upper end of a whole collection of DSO in the Milky Way region (see map above). The best way to find M 16 is to locate the lowermost star of the rhombus of the constellation Scutum (gamma Scuti, to the left of it is another star) and then to continue westwards for about 2.5°.

Identify: If the star cluster M 16 in the constellation Serpens Cauda was found in the way described above, it is also identified. (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Sketch

The sketch by Michael Vlasov (DeepSkyWatch.com) provides a rough impression of what I observed in Summer/Autumn 2016: Sketch of the M 16 Nebula by Michael Vlasov (Copyright © Michael Vlasov 2016)

Note: I only have the author's permission to link to the sketch.

My Best Own Photos

eVscope

M 16 - Jun 11, 2020		M 16 - Aug 23, 2020		M 16 - Aug 23, 2020
M 16 - Jun 11, 2020, photo on top processed		M 16 - Aug 23, 2020, photo on top processed		M 16 - Aug 23, 2020, photo on top processed

eVscope 2

M 16 - Aug 22, 2022		M 16 - Aug 22, 2022, photo left processed
M 16 - Aug 21, 2023		M 16 - Aug 21, 2023, photo left processed

Vespera

M 16, Aug 15, 2022 - original (90 frames = 900s)		M 16, Aug 20, 2022 - original (89 frames = 890s)
M 16, Nov 1, 2022 - original (180 frames = 1800s)		M 16, Nov 1, 2022 - large (180 frames = 1800s), processed

My Own Observations

Observations Summer to Autumn 2016

• September 7, 2016 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Skymax-102 on GoTo mount): Observed M 16, which appeared to me as a very wide open star cluster. I did not see the nebula IC 4703, that is, the Eagle Nebula, in which M 16 is embedded.

Observations September/October 2018

• October 4, 2018 (Sumène, France: PS 72/432, AZ Pronto Mount): Observed M 16, only seen the star cluster (the nebula IC 4703 should only be visible with a nebula filter).

Observations September/October 2019

• September 20, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600, AZ Pronto Mount): Observed M 16, only seen the star cluster (the nebula IC 4703 should only be visible with a nebula filter)

Observations May to August 2020

• May 29, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 16 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay
• May 31, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.), photo disturbed by trees
• Jun 1, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.), photo slightly disturbed by trees
• Jun 11, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• Jul 9, 2020 (Ulm: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• Aug 8, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.), sky too bright
• Aug 22, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.), blurry (not shown)
• Aug 23, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• Aug 25, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.)

Observations July to October 2021

• July 17, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation
• July 18, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation despite new collimation
• July 29, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation
• August 14, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C8 on Star Discovery Mount): M 16 observed, did not find the nebula, but saw the star cluster well
• August 20, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, better new collimation, poor quality
• September 8, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor quality
• October 8, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 16 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing

Observations July to November 2022

• July 29 and 31, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 16 photographed
• August 6 and 15, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 16 photographed (on Aug 7 there were three failed attempts because of obstruction)
• August 20, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 16 photographed
• August 22 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 16 photographed
• November 1, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 16 photographed

Observations August 2023

• August 21 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 16 photographed; new image processing (DDT)

References

• Messier Catalogue - Messier 16: messier.seds.org/m/m016.html
• Messier 16 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_16

On this Site

• Sky-Watcher Skymax-102 OTA Information (4" Maksutov-Cassegrain)
• Omegon Photography Scope 72/432 ED OTA Information (2.8" Refractor)
• Sky-Watcher StarTravel 120/600 OTA Information (4.7" Refractor, Borrowed)
• Celestron C8 OTA Information (8" Schmidt-Cassegrain)
• Unistellar eVscope Information
• Unistellar eVscope 2 - Information
• Vaonis Vespera - Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ Pronto Mount Information
• Sky-Watcher Star Discovery AZ GoTo Mount Information

Appendix: My Own Photos

eVscope

M 16 - May 29, 2020		M 16 - May 31, 2020, disturbed		M 16 - Jun 1, 2020, slightly disturbed
M 16 - May 29, 2020, photo on top processed		M 16 - May 31, 2020, photo on top processed		M 16 - Jun 1, 2020, photo on top processed
M 16 - May 29, 2020, photo on top processed alternatively		M 16 - Jun 11, 2020		M 16 - Jun 11, 2020, photo left processed
M 16 - Jul 9, 2020		M 16 - Aug 8, 2020		M 16 - Aug 8, 2020
M 16 - Jul 9, 2020, photo on top processed		M 16 - Aug 8, 2020, photo on top processed		M 16 - Aug 8, 2020, photo on top processed
M 16 - Aug 23, 2020		M 16 - Aug 23, 2020		M 16 - Aug 25, 2020
M 16 - Aug 23, 2020, photo on top processed		M 16 - Aug 23, 2020, photo on top processed		M 16 - Aug 25, 2020, photo on top processed
M 16 - Jul 17, 2021		M 16 - Jul 18, 2021		M 16 - Jul 18, 2021
M 16 - Jul 17, 2021, photo on top processed		M 16 - Jul 18, 2021, photo on top processed		M 16 - Jul 18, 2021, photo on top processed
M 16 - Jul 29, 2021		M 16 - Aug 20, 2021, poor...		M 16 - Sep 8, 2021, poor...
M 16 - Jul 29, 2021, photo on top processed		M 16 - Aug 20, 2021, photo on top processed		M 16 - Sep 8, 2021, photo on top processed
M 16 - Aug 20, 2021, photo on top processed		M 16 - Sep 8, 2021, photo left processed

eVscope 2

M 16 - Aug 22, 2022		M 16 - Aug 22, 2022, photo left processed
M 16 - Aug 21, 2023		M 16 - Aug 21, 2023, photo left processed

Vespera

M 16, Jul 31, 2022 - original (29 frames = 290s)		M 16, Aug 6, 2022 - original (35 frames = 350s)
M 16, Aug 15, 2022 - original (90 frames = 900s)		M 16, Aug 20, 2022 - original (89 frames = 890s)
M 16, Nov 1, 2022 - original (180 frames = 1800s)		M 16, Nov 1, 2022 - large (180 frames = 1800s), processed