Messier Object 97, The Owl Nebula

Messier Object 97, M 97

The Owl Nebula

Image Information
Date Imaged	12/28/2005
Location Imaged From	Tierra del Sol , CA
Equipment	Telescope: Astro Tech 203mm RC Mount: Losmandy G-11 w/Gemini Camera: SBIG ST-2000XM Focal Ratio: f/8.0
Exposure Information	LRGB 80:80:90:90
Data collection using: CCD Commander ASCOM POTH MaxPoint CCDSoft FocusMax PinPoint TheSky6 Pro Image Calibration - Maxim DL Image Registration - Maxim DL Image Stacking - Maxim DL Post processing in Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended 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 masses and the nebula itself about 0.15 solar masses. The nebula formed roughly 6,000 years ago. The nebula gets it name due to the appearance of owl-like "eyes" when view 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 through photographs taken of the nebula.