Within the constellation of Ursa Major there lies a planetary nebula named M97 or commonly called The Owl Nebula. This little planetary nebula is located near the bottom of the cup of the big dipper near the star Beta Ursae Majoris (Merak). M97 lies relatively near by, astronomically speaking, at a distance of around 2,600 light-years from our Sun. As we view it this nebula spans 2 light-years. Due to it's round shape and two black circles this nebula resembles an owls face.
'X' Marks the spot where M97 is located. Screenshot from Stellarium.
From my telescope in my light polluted skies I could just barely make it out; it's another tricky object, like M101, to spot due to it being at an 11 magnitude and very tiny. There is a distinct star pattern surrounding this wondrous planetary nebula, and it's close proximity to the star Merak makes it an easy object to find, despite it's low magnitude. Also within the same field of view as M97. When viewing this object I noticed I could see it a little better by blocking out any light coming in from nearby street lights. Although the eyes of the owl weren't visible through the eyepiece, it is easily visible in photographs.
M97 - The Owl Nebula. March 26, 2012. Click to nebulate.
This image is 18 images at 30 seconds a piece, ISO 1600, 10 dark frames, and 20 bias frames. Taken on March 26, 2012 with an Omni XLT 150 and Canon 350D prime focus. Stacked in Deep Sky Stacker and edited in Gimp. The image is a little noisier than I would have liked, but that's the consequence of using a 1600ISO and adjusting levels and curves like crazy.
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