(Click here to see high resolution version ~0.7MB)
M97 (NGC 3587): The Owl Nebula
RA:11 14 50, Dec:+55 01 00, mag: 9.9, Size:170", Dist: 1,630 l.y.
|
(Click here to see high resolution version ~0.7MB) |
||
| Object: | This planetary nebula, in the constellation of Ursa Major, is well named. It does appear to be looking at you with two big owl like eyes. It is one of the more complex planetary nebulas. The cylindrical torus shell is viewed obliquely so that the projected matter poor ends of the cylinder corresponds to the Owl’s eyes. The shell is enveloped by a fainter nebula of lower ionisation (probably NI). The central star is of magnitude 16.0. This image was taken using narrow band Hydrogen-alpha and Oxygen-III filters. | |
| Exposure: | Ha: 36x300s, OIII: 33x300s | |
| Equipment: | Orion Optics OMC 250mm f/9. 0.67 AP reducer. SXVF-H9 CCD. Astronomik H-alpha CCD and OIII filters. | |
| Location: | 15th & 16th Feb 2008, 00:00 UT, Oxford UK. | |
| Processing: | Ha was taken as the red exposure and OIII as the green and blue exposures, L mixed as 0.7OIII+0.3Ha. | |