Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Lyra (Lyr)  ·  Contains:  IC 1296  ·  M 57  ·  NGC 6720  ·  Ring Nebula
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M57: A Classic Favorite, Bruce Donzanti
M57: A Classic Favorite, Bruce Donzanti

M57: A Classic Favorite

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
M57: A Classic Favorite, Bruce Donzanti
M57: A Classic Favorite, Bruce Donzanti

M57: A Classic Favorite

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Description

A classic favorite like so few others (e.g., M27, M16, M31, M13), M57 (aka, Ring Nebula) is an example of simplistic beauty.  It is a starburst bipolar planetary nebula just around the corner from us at only 2,300 light-years from Earth, in the direction of the constellation Lyra.  

With clear skies, accompanied by a rising bright moon, it seemed like a nice time to visit an old friend, especially since we got this very unusual break in the heat and humidity which will return by the weekend (97 degrees).  I decided to try broadband as there was enough angular separation between the two objects such that the image wasn't too badly washed out.  Narrowband might have been a better option, especially during the earlier time of data collection, but it still worked out ok.  If you squint closely, you can see IC1296, a barred spiral galaxy just to the left of M57.

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