M57 - Ring Nebula
The Ring Nebula is a planetary nebula in Lyra, appearing as a small smoke ring in telescopes. It's one of the most famous planetary nebulae and easy to find between Beta and Gamma Lyrae.
Distance: 2,283 light-years
Apparent Magnitude: 8.80
Apparent Size: 1.4' × 1.0'
Constellation: Lyra
Object Type: Planetary Nebula
Key Features:
- Classic ring-shaped planetary
- Central white dwarf (15th magnitude)
- Barrel-shaped shell viewed pole-on
- Multiple shell structure
- Expanding at 20-30 km/s
Best Imaging Season: May - September
Optimal Integration: 4+ hours
