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Planetary nebula M97

Planetary nebula M97 or Owl is in the constellation Ursa Major (UMa).

Equatorial coordinates (epoch J2000):
Ra (α):11^h14.8^m, Dec (δ):+55° 01'

Visual magnitude: 9,9^m
Distance from the nebula M97 to the Sun is 4140 light years
Angular size: 170"
External dimensions the nebula M97 are about 3,5 light years.
Age of the object M97 is 6—12x10³ years

Discoverer: Pierre François André Méchain, 16.02.1781 year.

The designation M97 in other catalogs: NGC 3587

Optimum magnification for a telescope with observations of M97, depending on the aperture of the telescope (D), is about D/6-0.4D. Higher magnifications of course add details, but lead to a strong drop in the brightness of the image, making it difficult to observe.

The best month for observing M97 is April. At this time, the object is at midnight near its highest point in the sky, that is, it is less affected by light from the lanterns and atmospheric distortions.

Мessier 96

Мessier 98

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