Pillars of Creation - Visible?

[Paul73]

Hi Guys

I had an enjoyable "first look of the season" at the Eagle nebula the other night. The star field/cluster was showing really nicely along with some nebulosity. Given the current bright nights, I wasn't expecting much. However, once it gets dark again, is it possible to make out the famous Pillars of Creation?

*Picture copied of Wikipedia.

I'm quite keen to get a view before they get torn apart by the alleged supernova. Given the normal UK cloud cover, I'd better start looking now.

[alexbb]

Quite unlikely you'll miss it and they will be blown away by the time you will be looking

[Steve Ward]

Unfortunately it becomes less likely as the year progresses due to its position in the night sky.

Best bet is to get to a 'dark site' with a clear southerly horizon and try again soon ... 

[ollypenrice]

I've always found the Eagle disappointing visually. The Swan looks almost absudly like a Swan but the Eagle is very soft and vague to my eyes. I've never done very well with it. I'll be interested to read about what others have found.

Olly

Steve,  the Eagle's still good in August and beyond, I'd have said.

[ronin]

As they are I assume "creating" stars it is not a super nova that will destroy it all but the solar winds from the newly formed stars.

[Steve Ward]

Steve,  the Eagle's still good in August and beyond, I'd have said.

But it's not getting easier as the months go by , and you do have a bit of a latitude advantage over us sir ... 

[Paul73]

Ronin

It does sound like it is the wrong way around. But the artical is related to a nearby supernova which will/has stirred up the whole region.

Paul

[Paul73]

The Eagle is still good here until well into August. We even get a bit of astro dark!

I agree the window isn't huge given v short darkness, moon, cloud etc.

Paul

[estwing]

Another on my tick list...

[Steve Ward]

18" should nail it sir ... 

[Paul73]

Yet another reason to get a bigger scope!!!!

[swamp thing]

Not a target I've picked out to observe very often.  I must admit,  like Olly I find the eagle a bit disappointing visually too specially with its glorious neighbours M8, M17 and M20.

I know the pillars are definitely observable visually but as to whether it can be done from the UK where its position is never very favourable, I'm not sure.

[estwing]

Hopefully should find out soon Steve...

[Paul73]

Don't forget to report back.

[ollypenrice]

18" should nail it sir ... 

Have to say that 20 inches don't nail it for me. It all looks a bit thin. Trifid, Lagoon, Swan, all are great. The Eagle, well... I'll have another go and get back.

Olly

[estwing]

Have to say that 20 inches don't nail it for me. It all looks a bit thin. Trifid, Lagoon, Swan, all are great. The Eagle, well... I'll have another go and get back.

Olly

great...must get a bigger dob!

[swamp thing]

Have to say that 20 inches don't nail it for me. It all looks a bit thin. Trifid, Lagoon, Swan, all are great. The Eagle, well... I'll have another go and get back.

Olly

Your further south than me Olly so I'm not holding out much hope. I'll give it a bash though

[jabeoo1]

Have to say that 20 inches don't nail it for me. It all looks a bit thin. Trifid, Lagoon, Swan, all are great. The Eagle, well... I'll have another go and get back.

Olly

I was waiting out until 3am to bag the triffid & lagoon the other night.  Not a chance!  Either the LP here was so bad or the built up dirty horizon just did not let it all in. Saw both in bins last year in France and they were stunning.  Must get them in a scope soon.  We do have another 1000 years of light years until the pillars appear destroyed don't we?