M97 and M108 in Ursa Major (LRGB)
The two objects in this field, separted by only 48 arcminutes, are the planetary nebula M97 and the spiral galaxy M108. M97, also known as the Owl Nebula, lies at a distance of about 2000 light years and is one of four planetary nebulas in the Messier catalog. The mass of the nebula has been estimated to amount to 0.15 solar masses, while the 16 mag central star is believed to be of about 0.7 solar masses. Its dynamical age is about 6,000 years. (from Stephen J. Hynes, Planetary Nebulae). The spiral galaxy M108, at a distance of about 45 million light years, is a nearly edge-on spiral galaxy that shows little or no core or central bulge. Click on the link below to read Rob Gendler's excellent description of the Owl Nebula, M97 and to view close-up images of both M97 and M108.
Image Details
| Target: | M97 (NGC 3587) and M108 (NGC 3556) |
| Coordinates (Center - J2000): | RA 11h 13m 00s ; Dec +55d 20m 08s |
| Date: | 05 January 2008 |
| Constellation: | Ursa Major |
| Imaging Location: | Chiefland, Florida |
| Camera: | SBIG ST-8XME & CFW-10 Color Filter Wheel |
| Filters: | Astrodon Series E Tru-Balance LRGB |
| Telescope: | Takahashi TSA-102S 4" APO Triplet f/8 (FL = 814mm) |
| Mount: | Takahashi EM-200 Temma II GEM (12 VDC) |
| Image Scale: | 2.28 arcseconds per pixel |
| CCD Temperature: | -20 C |
| L:R:G:B Exposures: | 120:60:60:60 minutes (L=12x600s / RGB=6x600s each) |
| Mount Control Software: | The Sky 6.0.0.52 |
| Camera Control Software: | CCDSoft 5.00.182 |
| Focus Control Software: | FocusMax 3.3.15 |
| Executive Control Software: | CCD Commander 1.4.5 |
| Sub-frame Registration Software: | Registar |
| Calibration and Combining Software: | CCDStack |
| Final Processing Software: | Photoshop CS |
Additional Information
Description of M97 (By Rob Gendler): http://www.robgendlerastropics.com/M97text.html
Close-up of M97 (Upsized 150%): m97_lrgb_01052008_close.jpg
Close-up of M108 (Upsized 150%): m108_lrgb_01052008_close.jpg
