This star-forming region has the approximate shape of an eagle with outstretched wings, measuring nearly sixty light years from wingtip to wingtip. In its central regions lies a cluster of newly formed hot young stars. Formally it is this cluster that is designated NGC 6611, while IC 4703 describes the surrounding nebula.
A red emission nebula in Serpens, made famous by the striking Hubble Space Telescope pictures of its central regions, showing three distinct 'pillars' of gaseous material.