Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Lyra (Lyr)  ·  Contains:  IC 1296  ·  M 57  ·  NGC 6720  ·  Ring Nebula
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The Ring, Planetary Nebula, Enda Kelly
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The Ring, Planetary Nebula

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The Ring, Planetary Nebula, Enda Kelly
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The Ring, Planetary Nebula

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Description

"The Ring" planetary nebula in Lyra, aka M57 or NGC 6720, 2 to 2.5 thousand light years away. The tiny dot in the center of the nebula is actually the remains of what used to be a star but is now a white dwarf, which is what a star in the last stages of its lifespan is termed. Astronomers estimate that the red giant star explosion that led to the formation of the Ring Nebula occurred between 6,000 and 8,000 years ago. Very recent in relative terms!

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The Ring, Planetary Nebula, Enda Kelly

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Irish Astrophotography