Astrophotography – Messier 57

Messier 57
(more photos)

 

 

Notes – Messier 57

-  M57, NGC 6720, PK63+13.1, also the Ring, Smoke or Donut Nebula
-  Bright, pretty large
-  irregular ring structure
-  a very impressive and stunning object
-  small telescope usually show it as a featureless patch or disk, but 4 inch brings out the annular shape
-  the very blue central star (mag: +15.2) is difficult to see visually
-  even been suspected of being variable; very good seeing and high power are essential.
-  much easier to notice is the mag +13.2 star very close outside the ring’s edge.
-  the nebula’s expansion velocity is 18 miles per seconds!

 

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