Ring Nebula

For another object, see Ring Nebula (NGC 6822).
Ring Nebula
Emission nebula
Planetary nebula
The Ring Nebula as seen in infrared and visible light by a multiple exposure of images from the James Webb Space Telescope's NIRCam, showing an outer layer of hydrogen that is very faint in visible light
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension18h 53m 35.079s[1]
Declination+33° 01′ 45.03″[1]
Distance2567±115[1] ly   (787±35[1] pc)
Apparent magnitude (V)8.8[2]
Apparent dimensions (V)230″ × 230″[3]
ConstellationLyra
Physical characteristics
Radius1.3+0.8
−0.4[a] ly
Absolute magnitude (V)−0.2+0.7
−1.8[b]
DesignationsM 57,[1] NGC 6720,[1] GC 4447.
See also: Lists of nebulae

The Ring Nebula (also catalogued as Messier 57, M57 and NGC 6720) is a planetary nebula in the northern constellation of Lyra.[4][C] Such a nebula is formed when a star, during the last stages of its evolution before becoming a white dwarf, expels a vast luminous envelope of ionized gas into the surrounding interstellar space.

HaRGB image of the Ring Nebula (M57) showing the faint outer shells. The spiral galaxy IC 1296 can also be seen in the top left. Data from the Liverpool Telescope on La Palma, Islas Canarias (Canary Islands), Spain.
  1. ^ a b c d e f "M 57". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 2006-12-19.
  2. ^ Murdin, P. (2000). "Ring Nebula (M57, NGC 6720)". In Paul Murdin (ed.). Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Institute of Physics Publishing. Bibcode:2000eaa..bookE5323.. doi:10.1888/0333750888/5323. ISBN 978-0-333-75088-9. Article ID #5323.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference ODelletal2002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference coe2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).