Speaker: Dr. Frank Summers (Space Telescope Science Institute)

The Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula is one of the most iconic images in astronomy. It was popularized by the Hubble Space Telescope's striking visible light observations and has been followed up with the James Webb Space Telescope's amazing infrared views.

The scientific story of the pillars involves the interplay of stars and dust, with stars forming inside vast dust clouds and then re-shaping those clouds with their emissions.

Dr. Frank Summers will detail the telltale features of these interactions and explain the knowledge gained through multiwavelength observations. Going further, he will explore the pillars in three dimensions with a brand-new visible and infrared flythrough visualization of the pillars created by the AstroViz Project of NASA's Universe of Learning.

Recorded live on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

The STScI Public Lecture Series offers talks on a diverse selection of cosmic topics, typically held the first Tuesday of every month. The 2024 Public Lecture Series is continuing an online-only format. This lecture will be presented with a livestream to YouTube, and questions can be asked in the YouTube chat. As usual, the recording will also be posted on our YouTube channel. We will, as necessary, adjust from the traditional first Tuesday at 8 PM schedule to accommodate our speakers.

Live and archived recordings:

• The Pillars of Creation: Multiwavelength Explorations in 3D (YouTube)