M16 (NGC6611) is located in the constellation Serpens Cauda. It's an open cluster 8000 ly far from us, embedded in an area of emission nebulosity known as Eagle Nebula. This nebula (70 ly of true dimensions) became famous to the public for the image of the dust pillars taken in 1995 by HST. The red color of the Eagle Nebula is due to the emission of the hydrogen excited from the stars of the cluster.

Exposure : two 35 min. negatives scanned with Polaroid Sprintscan 35+, blended in Picture Window 2.0 and enhanced with Photoshop 4.0


Telescope : Takahashi FS-102 at F/6 with focal reducer on a Losmandy G11


Guiding : ST4 on a Vixen 80/910mm.


Film : unhypered Kodak Multispeed PJM-2


Location : Piano di Nivolet (Val d'Aosta) - 2600mt. height


Date : July 16, 1999