deep-sky
nebula (planetary)
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The Owl Nebula is a faint planetary nebula which can be found in the constellation Ursa Major.
The round shape and the two dark patches resemble the face of an owl. Its distance is still uncertain, estimates range from 1.300 to 12.000 light years, although 2.600 light years is most commonly used.
The central star is of magnitude 16, the age of this nebula is about 6.000 years.
The very small patch of nebulousity below the small star at lower left of the nebula is actually a small background galaxy. (group of three stars, the middle one).
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Image information:
Object info
Name: M97 – The Owl Nebula
Type: Nebula (planetary)
Constellation: Ursa Major
Distance: 2600 ly
Date & location
Date: March 16, 2012
Location: Landgraaf, The Netherlands
Equipment & optics
Total integration: 2h16m
Camera: SBIG ST-8300M
Optics: Orion Optics SPX 10″ Newton
Mount: Losmandy G-11 Gemini
Image comments
Quite hazy conditions this night.