The Owl Nebula (M97 or NGC 3587) is a planetary nebula in the constellation Ursa Major, about 2,030 light-years away, known for its distinct "eyes" that resemble an owl's face in larger telescopes. Formed from the gas and dust ejected by a dying star, it has a complex structure of three concentric shells, with the inner shell's orientation creating the owl-like appearance. It's a popular target for amateur astronomers, located near the Big Dipper, but requires a good telescope to see its unique features clearly.
Type: Planetary nebula
Location: Ursa Major constellation, near the star Merak (part of the Big Dipper)
Distance: Approximately 2,030 light-years from Earth
Appearance: Two dark patches resembling owl eyes within a circular nebula
Structure: Three concentric shells (outer halo, middle shell, inner shell)
Discovery: Discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781 and added to Messier's catalog
Visibility: Faint (magnitude 9.9) and difficult to see with the naked eye.
Equipment: Visible as a faint smudge in binoculars, but a 10-inch or larger telescope is needed to resolve the "eyes".
Best time: Best viewed from November to August when Ursa Major is high in the sky. Image Credit NOIRLab / NSF / AURA
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