M57 also called the Ring Nebula is a planetary nebula (planetary nebula have nothing to do with planets). They are formed when a star near the end of its evolutionary life expels its outer layers as it shrinks down to the white dwarf stage. The planetary nebula name comes from the early days when nebula such as this looked like planetary disks to the early observers.
Messier 57 (2019)
- Constellation: Lyra
- Right Ascension: 18h 53m 35.079s
- Declination: +33°01’45.03”
- Distance: 2,300 ly
- Details
- Category: Nebulas
- Telescope: GSO RC10
- Camera: ZWO A071 Color