#messier 57

[quiltofstars]

The Ring Nebula, M57 // Mike Lundstrom

[kosmikaastronomy]

The Ring Nebula / M57

This beautiful explosion of color and light is called the ring nebula, or messier object 57.

The ring nebula is most notable for its ring or donut like shape. This is because it is a planetary nebula. Contrary to what the name may suggest, a planetary nebula has little to do with actual planets. They are named such for their planetary shape (M57 itself having been described in reference to Jupiter).

M57 looks like a ring, with dense gaseous projection and an "emptier" core due to its history. This is because the nebula was formed by a dying star, somewhere around the size of our sun, which has now cooled into a white dwarf. In the process of loosing "fuel" to burn, the star expands into a red giant, the core looses gravitational grip on the now further gas layers. After loosing its ability to hold its gaseous outer layer together, allowing it to slowly expand away from the core, thus creating the empty middle and ring like shape.

Because it is a planetary nebula, it is an emission nebula, meaning it emits light from its ionized gases. The remnant core of the star, the white dwarf, emits radiation that ionizes the gases, allowing it to "glow" and be visible to the naked eye.

M57 is located in the constellation of Lyra, which can be found by looking for Vega. Its located between the gamma and beta stars of the constellation, which make up the edge of the quadrilateral in Lyra.

I recommend using a filter (if possible! definitely not needed) when observing with a telescope. I use an oxygen III filter, but a UHC (ultra high contrast) filter would definitely help as well!

//

Sources:

/https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/science/explore-the-night-sky/hubble-messier-catalog/messier-57/

Image: James Webb NIRCam

[acinnamonboysblog]

“The Ring Nebula” 🌌🔭

- Messier 57, more commonly known as The Ring Nebula is about 2000 light years away from us in the constellation Lyra ✨☄️

[chibinotan]

Near-Infrared Ring

[merelygifted]

James Webb telescope captures the Ring Nebula in brilliant focus : NPR

first image: The famous Ring Nebula is seen in brilliant new clarity, thanks to a new James Webb Space Telescope image released by researchers in the JWST Ring Nebula Imaging Project. The image was processed by Roger Wesson, according to Western University in Ontario.  NASA/ESA/CSA            

second image: The Ring Nebula is seen in a 2013 image captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. A new image has shown even more complexity within the famous nebula.

[llyesend]

Commission for spaceproject of her Messier 57 spacey!

[mystarypi-astronomy]

This is the Ring Nebula! 💍💍💍

With a radius of about 3 light years, this planetary nebula is expanding after the death of a Sun-like star ejected its layers as we can see in the image. The center of this elegant object has a white dwarf (the remnant core of the star) that continues to expand the envelope’s layers. 💖💖💖

Taken by me (Michelle Park) using the Slooh Canary Two telescope on June 16th, 2021 at 23:52 UTC.

[spinningblueball]

M57 - Ring Nebula