< Messier Index
Owl Nebula
Observation data
(Epoch J2000.0)
Right ascension 11h 14.8m
Declination +55° 01′
Distance 2,600 ly
Apparent magnitude (V) +9.9
Apparent dimensions (V) 3.4 × 3.3 arcmin
Constellation Ursa Major
Physical characteristics
Radius 1.5 ly
Absolute magnitude (V) -
Notable features Owl-like "eyes" visible through larger telescopes
Other designations 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.

Image of Messier 97 taken with red, green
and blue filters with the w:Faulkes Telescope North
 
Messier Index
M1 • M2 • M3 • M4 • M5 • M6 • M7 • M8 • M9 • M10 • M11 • M12 • M13 • M14 • M15 • M16 • M17 • M18 • M19 • M20 • M21 • M22 • M23 • M24 • M25 • M26 • M27 • M28 • M29 • M30 • M31 • M32 • M33 • M34 • M35 • M36 • M37 • M38 • M39 • M40 • M41 • M42 • M43 • M44 • M45 • M46 • M47 • M48 • M49 • M50 • M51 • M52 • M53 • M54 • M55 • M56 • M57 • M58 • M59 • M60 • M61 • M62 • M63 • M64 • M65 • M66 • M67 • M68 • M69 • M70 • M71 • M72 • M73 • M74 • M75 • M76 • M77 • M78 • M79 • M80 • M81 • M82 • M83 • M84 • M85 • M86 • M87 • M88 • M89 • M90 • M91 • M92 • M93 • M94 • M95 • M96 • M97 • M98 • M99 • M100 • M101 • M102 • M103 • M104 • M105 • M106 • M107 • M108 • M109 • M110
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