Owl Nebula (M97)

Owl Nebula (M97) is a planetary nebula in the constellation Ursa Major, with an apparent magnitude of 9.9. It is about 2,600 light-years away.

Finder chart for the Owl Nebula (M97) in the constellation Ursa Major
the Owl Nebula (M97) (circled) in Ursa Major. Pink symbols mark Messier objects.
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Facts

CatalogMessier 97 (M97)
Typeplanetary nebula
ConstellationUrsa Major
Apparent magnitude9.9
Distanceabout 2,600 light-years
Right ascension11 h 14.8 min
Declination+55.02°
Best monthApril (at about 9 pm)

Sources: star positions, magnitudes and colors from the Yale Bright Star Catalogue; constellation boundaries and star names from the IAU; areas and distances from Wikidata; stick figures by M. van der Sluys. How the maps are made.

How to find the Owl Nebula

The Owl Nebula is in Ursa Major. From 40° N it is highest in the north in April evenings, about 75° up. From 35° S it stays below the horizon. You need a telescope and a dark sky to see it.

Ursa Major constellation →

Other Messier objects in Ursa Major

Messier 40 (M40)Bode's Galaxy (M81)Cigar Galaxy (M82)Pinwheel Galaxy (M101)Messier 108 (M108)Messier 109 (M109)

The Messier catalog →

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