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M57, The Ring Nebula "deep version", Terry Hancock

M57, The Ring Nebula "deep version"

M57, The Ring Nebula "deep version", Terry Hancock

M57, The Ring Nebula "deep version"

Description

M57 is a planetary nebula 2500 light years distant in the constellation Lyra. It was originally discovered by French astronomer Antoine de Pellepoix in 1779. The barred spiral galaxy IC 1296 is also visible in the upper part of the image. IC 1296 distance is estimated to be 220 million light years.

Like other old red giants M57 has expelled most of its material in the form of hydrogen and oxygen. At its cores lies the white dwarf remnant which consists mainly of carbon. The lighter hydrogen forms the outer reddish envelope while the heavier blue-green oxygen remains about the core. The gases in the expanding shell are illuminated by the radiation of the central white dwarf who’s glow is still 200 times brighter than our Sun.

This image was done as a collaboration by Terry Hancock of Michigan and Fred Herrmann of Alabama. Six one hour narrow-band hydrogen alpha exposures were taken in order to show the dimmer outer shell. Total exposure time 25 hours.

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M57, The Ring Nebula "deep version", Terry Hancock