description Owl Nebula (M97) Overview
Messier 97, commonly called the Owl Nebula, is a planetary nebula in Ursa Major discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781. It is a large, relatively faint object whose roughly circular shell contains two darker regions that inspired its owl-like name. The nebula consists of gas expelled by an evolved star, with a hot white dwarf near the center supplying the ultraviolet radiation that makes the surrounding material glow.
help Owl Nebula (M97) FAQ
What is Owl Nebula M97?
M97 is a planetary nebula in the constellation Ursa Major, commonly called the Owl Nebula. It is the glowing shell of gas left around a hot stellar remnant.
Why is M97 called the Owl Nebula?
Its roughly circular shell contains two darker regions that resemble an owl’s eyes. The nickname refers to this visual pattern rather than to any connection with an actual owl.
Who discovered the Owl Nebula?
French astronomer Pierre Méchain discovered M97 in 1781. The object was later included in the Messier catalogue as Messier 97.
Why can the Owl Nebula be difficult to see?
M97 is large but relatively faint, so its light is spread across a broad area instead of appearing as a bright point. Dark skies and a telescope are useful when looking for its circular shell and darker inner regions.
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