| Object type: | Emission (H II region) nebula |
|---|---|
| Distance from Earth: | 6,000 light years 1,800 parsecs |
| Distance across Nebula: | 20 light years 6.1 parsecs |
The Eagle Nebula is a cloud of interstellar gas excited by several bright, hot O and B type stars. The small, dark regions may be protostars - globules of cold stellar gas that may condense to become new stars.