This object is a very faint molecular cloud located 400 light years away in the constellation of Taurus. The object spans 2 to 3 light years. It is close to the Pleiades star cluster in a large cloud of dust and gas known as the Taurus Molecular Cloud. These giant molecular clouds are believed to be factories of star formation.
The reflection nebula envelopes the dark nebula, Bernard 207, seen as the brownish patch above the Eagle's eye. The brownish color is caused by large dust grains embedded in the gas. The dust reflects the light of stars inside and near the nebula. The exact source of the light that illuminates this reflection nebula, as well as the reason for the "hole" seen as the Eagle's eye, are both mysteries yet to be solved. This sky object is difficult to process because of its very low relative brightness.
A recent image taken with my much faster RASA setup is shown
here.
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