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What galaxy is serpens in?

Published in Astronomy 2 mins read

The constellation Serpens is located within the Milky Way galaxy.

Serpens' Position Within Our Galaxy

Serpens is unique as it is the only constellation divided into two non-contiguous parts: Serpens Caput (the Serpent's Head) and Serpens Cauda (the Serpent's Tail). It is the latter portion, Serpens Cauda, that is particularly notable for its position within our home galaxy.

This region of Serpens is exceptionally rich in deep-sky objects because it lies within the Milky Way's galactic plane. The galactic plane is the flattened, disk-shaped region where the vast majority of our galaxy's stars, gas, and dust are concentrated. Its alignment with the galactic plane means that when looking towards Serpens Cauda from Earth, one is looking through a dense portion of our galaxy, revealing numerous nebulae, star clusters, and other celestial bodies.

Notable Deep-Sky Objects in Serpens Cauda

Due to its strategic location within the Milky Way, Serpens Cauda hosts several famous celestial landmarks. Among the most prominent are:

  • The Eagle Nebula (Messier 16 or M16): This is a prominent star-forming region renowned for its iconic "Pillars of Creation."
  • Associated Star Cluster: The Eagle Nebula is part of a larger, young open star cluster.

These spectacular objects are situated approximately 5,700 light-years from Earth and lie in the direction of the Galactic Center, further emphasizing Serpens' deep connection to the Milky Way's core structure.

Here's a quick overview of Serpens' galactic context:

Feature/Object Description/Location
Host Galaxy Milky Way
Notable Part Serpens Cauda (The Serpent's Tail)
Galactic Feature Passes through the galactic plane
Key Deep-Sky Object Eagle Nebula (Messier 16) and its star cluster
Distance (M16) Around 5,700 light-years from Earth
Direction (M16) Towards the Galactic Center