M97: The Owl Nebula

Click on image for larger version.

Whoo Whoo says astronomical objects don't look like their names? This glowing gas bubble is estimated to be 6,000 years old and 1,500 light years away. Though subtle, the complex structure of this nebula have proven difficult for astronomers to model on computers.

Equipment

20in RC Optical Systems telescope Operating at f/8.4
Paramount ME Robotic Telescope Mount
SBIG ST10XME CCD camera with color filter wheel

L R G B color production was used to create this image.

Luminance = 70 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 20 minutes binned 2x2

Minimum credit line: Gary White and Verlenne Monroe/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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Updated: 11/23/2003