Messier 16, also known as the Eagle Nebula, is a star-forming region located about 7,000 light-years away in the constellation Serpens. It is famous for its stunning pillars of gas and dust, which are often referred to as the "Pillars of Creation." These structures are dense areas where new stars are being born. The nebula was first cataloged by Charles Messier in 1764. It is part of a larger complex of gas and dust that contains many young stars and is a popular target for astronomers. Messier 16 can be observed with small telescopes and is often studied to understand stellar formation.