Owl Nebula

Owl Nebula
Owl Nebula
Observation data (Epoch J2000.0)
Right ascension	11h 14.8m
Declination	+55° 01′
Distance	2,600 ly
Apparent magnitude (V)	+9.9
Apparent dimensions (V)	3.4 × 3.3 arcmin
Constellation	Ursa Major
Physical characteristics
Radius	1.5 ly
Notable features	Owl-like "eyes" visible through larger telescopes
Other designations	M97, NGC 3587
See also: Planetary nebula, Lists of nebulae

The Owl Nebula (also known as Messier Object 97 or NGC 3587) is a planetary nebula in the constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781.

M97 is regarded as one of the more complex of the planetaries. The 16th magnitude central star has about 0.7 solar mass and the nebula itself about 0.15 solar mass. The nebula formed roughly 6,000 years ago.

The nebula gets its name from the appearance of owl-like "eyes" when viewed through a large (>200 mm) telescope under dark sky conditions with the aid of a so-called "nebula filter." The eyes are also easily visible in photographs of the nebula.

Image of Messier 97 taken with red, green
and blue filters with the Faulkes Telescope North

See also

• Messier object
• List of Messier objects
• New General Catalogue
• List of planetary nebulas

External links

• The Owl Nebula at Calar Alto Observatory
• The Owl Nebula @ SEDS Messier pages
• NightSkyInfo.com - M97, the Owl Nebula
• The Owl Nebula on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images