Date: May 27, 2007

Object: Ring Nebula; M57

Description: A well-known planetary nebula. The "ring" is a shell of gas expeled by the 15th magnitude central star. The nebula itself is a 9th magnitude object which lies 2,150 light-years from Earth.

Photo Credit: Rick Bearce

Location: City of Rock State Park, New Mexico

Telescope: 9.25" Schmidt-Cassegrain OTA and a Vixen 102SS ED f6.5

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT