M 97 (NGC 3597) -- Planetary Nebula in Ursa Major
Seeing The Eyes Of The Owl
The Owl Nebula (M97) is gas being expelled from a dying star. Its name comes from
the two dark spots (eyes) in the Planetary Nebula. Even from the my suburban house,
the 6.1" refractor can find the glow of this low-surface-brightness nebula using an
Oxygen III (OIII) filter. Seeing the eyes is far more challenging. For me, from my house,
I have to up the magnification AND remove the OIII filter to find the owl staring back at
me.
the two dark spots (eyes) in the Planetary Nebula. Even from the my suburban house,
the 6.1" refractor can find the glow of this low-surface-brightness nebula using an
Oxygen III (OIII) filter. Seeing the eyes is far more challenging. For me, from my house,
I have to up the magnification AND remove the OIII filter to find the owl staring back at
me.