Aquila constellation. The Milky Way running through the constellation Aquila, the eagle. North is at top. The bright star in the center is Altair (Alpha Aquilae). This star is flanked by Tarazed (Gamma Aquilae, above) and Alshain (Beta Aquilae, below). Altair is the 12th brightest star in the sky and lies 16 light years from Earth. The Milky Way is the band of light crossing the sky. A prominent lane of dust is seen here, blocking the light of the stars behind it.