M 97: The Owl nebula in the Big Dipper


Contrary to the caption, M97 is surely neither a spiral nor a galaxy. It is a planetary nebula, the wind blowing from a dying star fluorescing in the UV radiation of the hot white dwarf in the center. This white dwarf is the old core of the now half-dead red giant.











Images taken: Spring 2015.

Telescope: CDK 17-in with f/4.6 focal reducer.

Camera: SBIG ST-10 CCD