Planetary nebula · Ursa Major

M97 Owl Nebula

Also known as: NGC 3587

mag 11.23′ across

About

M97, the Owl Nebula, is a planetary nebula of magnitude 11.2 in Ursa Major, about 3′ across.

M97 is in the constellation Ursa Major.
Best evenings: around late April it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 25° S.
Big Dipper: A faint planetary nebula and an edge-on galaxy close together, just below Merak; a telescope.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesNot visible to the naked eye.
Binoculars (10×50)Too faint for binoculars.
Telescope (6–8 inch)A faint round glow — a UHC or OIII filter makes it much easier.

For a dark country sky with no Moon. From a city, faint galaxies and nebulae can disappear completely.

Designations	M97, NGC 3587, PN G148.4+57.0
Type	Planetary nebula
Magnitude	11.2The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	3′the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	≈ 22.2 mag/arcsec²Estimate from the magnitude and size, per square arcsecond.
Constellation	Ursa Major
Right ascension (J2000)	11h 14m 47.7s
Declination (J2000)	+55° 01′ 08″