Pillars of Creation

The Eagle Nebula, around 7,000 light-years from Earth, is also the location of one of Hubble's most well-known photographs, the Pillars of Creation. The Pillars of Creation consist of three trails of gorgeous multicolored dust and gas that span four to five light-years, resembling the twisted and writhing hand of a dead god.

Although the elements that make up the Pillars are nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, what is most amazing about this formation is that it is home to a number of recently born stars. Unfortunately, the structure is also deteriorating due to the light from those brand-new stars.

Hubble first captured the formation in 1995, and it has subsequently been seen two more times. Herschel Space Observatory of the ESA snapped a picture of the building in 2011, and Hubble then tried again to commemorate the observatory's 25th birthday.