Right Ascension: 18 hrs 53 min 35.08s
Declination: +33º 01' 45"
Distance: 2300 ly
Apparent Magnitude: 8.8
Dimensions: 1.4' x 1'
What is the Ring Nebula?
The ring nebula is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Lyra. It was discovered in 1779 by Antoine Darquier de Pellepoix. Its central star was discovered in 1800 by Fredrich von Hahn. The central star is a white dwarf with a temperature of between 100,000 and 120,000 K.
Okay...What's a Planetary Nebula?
A planetary nebula is a nebula (collection of gas or dust) which is formed by ejection from a star at the end of its life. The Sun will one day form a planetary nebula before entering the white dwarf stage of its life.
The
Ring Nebula in Action
This
CCD image was taken at 7:40 pm on November 18, 2006 at the Macalester
College Observatory. There was haze in the sky and no moon. When taking
the blue filtered image there was a drift in the telescope. Three
minute exposures were taken with infrared, visible, and blue filters.
References
http://www.tng.iac.es/gallery/astronomical/
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/messier/m/m057.html
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/messier/m/m057.html