Astronomy undergrads discover binary star system near iconic Pillars of Creation

For decades, the “Pillars of Creation,” towering columns of gas and dust inside the Eagle Nebula, have captivated scientists and the public alike. An image of these pillars captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope in 1995 became one of the most recognizable pictures of space ever taken, and a cultural icon.

For astronomy students, the image is instantly recognizable.

“If I told you to think of a famous photo of the stars, you might think of the Pillars of Creation. It’s always at the top of any list of legendary astronomy photos,” said Steven Cromwell, a junior astronomy student at San Diego State University.

But even after decades of study, the region is still producing surprises. Cromwell and fellow astronomy student Tyler Peters recently discovered an eclipsing binary star system, or two stars orbiting around a shared center of mass, hidden within the same famous nebula.

Read more on SDSU NewsCenter.