Its outer halo was not detected until The nebula formed when a dying Sun-like star ran out of hydrogen fuel, collapsed from a red giant to a white dwarf, and ejected its outer envelope. Like most planetary nebulae, M97 appears brighter visually than photographically because it emits most of its light in one green spectral line. The best time of year to observe M97 is during the spring, but observers north of latitude 35N can see the nebula throughout the year, as it never sets below the horizon in for them.

The two objects appear in the same wide field view. Another Messier object, the barred spiral galaxy Mcan be seen 50 arc minutes northwest of the Owl Nebula. Owl Nebula Messier Image: Stargazer Observatory. These were first sketched by William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse in The owl-like eyes can be seen in inch and larger telescopes. It was named the Owl Nebula because of its appearance in larger telescopes, which reveal two dark patches that look like the eyes of an owl. The nebula lies at a distance of 2, light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 9. Messier 97 M97also known as the Owl Nebula, is a famous planetary nebula located in Ursa Major constellation.

Skyrim inside the nebula