Owl Nebula
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Owl Nebula M97
The Owl Nebula is also known as Messier Object 97 or NGC 3587. It is a planetary nebula in the constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered by Pierre Mechain in 1781. M97 is regarded as one of the more complex of the planetaries. The 16th magnitude central star has about 0.7 solar masses. This nebula formed roughly 6,000 years ago. The nebula gets it name due to the appearance of eyes like owls.
This picture was taken with my Mewlon300 and ST2000 camera in Japan.
Imaging information
Optics: Takahashi Mewlon300
Mount: Pentax MS5 Mount
Camera: SBIG ST2000XM, Astronomik LRGB filters
Exposure: Luminance=160minutes(10minx16frames), R=G=B=20minutes(10minx2frames)
Software: Stellaimage5, PhotoshopCS
Location: Okayama Prefecture, Japan, 2008