Messier Index/M97

Messier 97 Credit: Robert J. Vanderbei Owl Nebula 3a J2000.0 11h 14.8m +55° 01′ 2,600 ly +9.9 3.4 × 3.3 arcmin Ursa Major 1.5 ly - Owl-like "eyes" visible through larger telescopes M97, NGC 3587 The Owl Nebula (also known as w:Messier Object 97 or NGC 3587) is a w:planetary nebula in the w:constellation w:Ursa Major. It was discovered by w:Pierre Méchain in 1781. M97 is regarded as one of the more complex of the planetaries. The 16th magnitude central w:star has about 0.7 w:solar mass and the nebula itself about 0.15 solar mass. 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. 250px|thumb|left|Image of Messier 97 taken with red, green and blue filters with the w:Faulkes Telescope North External links The Owl Nebula @ SEDS Messier pages NightSkyInfo.com - M97, the Owl Nebula M97, imaged with a semiprofessional amateur-telescope