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101

The Ring Nebula (M57) -- Located in the constellation Lyra

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HOW TO FIND

THE RING NEBULA:

Begin by locating the constellation Lyra.

Identify Vega, the constellation Lyra's brightest star and one of the three stars that make up the Summer Triangle.

Next, locate the four stars that form a diamond shape in Lyra.

Now find the two stars in Lyra's diamond that are furthest from Vega.

Almost exactly midway between these two stars is where you'll find the Ring Nebula.

Not because of its judicious eating habits, but rather on account of its proximity to the star Vega, the Ring Nebula is as Vegan as night-sky objects can get. This planetary nebula is easily recognized by its distinctive ring shape, for which it is aptly named.

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The Lagoon Nebula

Interesting Facts About the Ring Nebula

The Ring Nebula is located 2,300 light years from Earth.

A star not unlike our Sun is responsible for the formation of the beautiful Ring Nebula.

When stars of low to medium mass- like our Sun- run out of hydrogen, they expand into red giants.

Planetary nebulae such as this occur when the expanding red giant gas cloud is illuminated by what remains of the star's core.

When a red giant's hydrogen fuel is completely exhausted, it has begun the process of becoming a white dwarf, during which the star begins to collapse under the force of its own gravity. It is believed that the star at the center of the Ring Nebula has begun this final phase of stellar evolution.

Put the Ring Nebula in Your Field of View

Telescopes

Whether you're using a reflector, refractor, or a catadioptric telescope, you'll be able to admire the beauty of the Ring Nebula- one of the most accessible of all planetary nebulae.

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Telescope Eyepieces

The Ring Nebula is an ideal candidate for observation through various eyepieces. You may even want to try a zoom eyepiece to skip switching out eyepieces altogether.

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Telescope Accessories

A few telescope accessories will help you behold the beauty of the Ring Nebula. Things like astronomy lights and lasers will help preserve your night vision so as not to spoil your view.

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M42 & M13: courtesy of Tim Hunter and James McGaha, Grasslands Observatory at http://www.3towers.com; M31 & M45: courtesy of Herm Perez, http://home.att.net/~hermperez/default.htm; M8: courtesy of Bob Star, http://www.flickr.com/photos/52031391@N00/70287323 / CC BY 2.0

helpful information

2009: The International Year of Astronomy

With the theme "The Universe, Yours to Discover," a United Nations agency is bringing astronauts, artists, scientists, academics, and others together during the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first observation of the heavens in 1609.

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