M57 - The Ring Nebula

The Ring Nebula, M57, is found in the constellation, Lyra and is classified as a planetary nebula. Although it is known as a planetary nebula, it really has nothing to do with planets. The nebula, which is a spherical shell of glowing gas surrounding the central star, was formed when the central star ejected as much as ten percent of its mass over a period of several million years. The Ring Nebula has a diameter of approximately 1 light year and is located about 3,000 light years from Earth.

Image Specifications:

     •  Instrument:  Takahashi FS-102 Refractor (820mm - f/8)
     •  Camera:  Canon 300D (IR modified)
     •  Filters:  None
     •  Mount:  Losmandy GM-8 Equatorial
     •  Guiding:  None
     •  Time / Date :  June 8, 2005, 12:30AM EST
     •  Location:  Coyle Field, NJ
     •  Weather:  Clear, 75degF
     •  Primary Exposure :  30 x 30sec, ISO 400, RAW, average combined
     •  Calibration Frames:  5 x 30sec, ISO 400, RAW, average combined
     •  Image Processing :  Images Plus, Photoshop CS2, PixInsightLE