M57 (Ring Nebula) Complete Guide — Planetary Nebula in Lyra

Overview

Ring Nebula (M57) is a Planetary Nebula located in Lyra, cataloged as NGC 6720. With an apparent magnitude of 8.8, it lies About 2,300 light-years from Earth. This Advanced-level object is best observed in the Summer sky.

Planetary nebulae are formed when Sun-like stars shed their outer layers at the end of their lives. A white dwarf remains at the center, while the expelled gas glows beautifully.

Basic Data

Item	Data
Messier Number	M57
Catalog Number	NGC 6720
Object Type	Planetary Nebula
Constellation	Lyra
Apparent Magnitude	8.8
Distance	About 2,300 light-years
Best Season	Summer
Difficulty	Advanced
Required Equipment	Small telescope

Physical Characteristics

This object is located About 2,300 light-years from Earth with an apparent magnitude of 8.8.

Observation Guide

How to Find

Ring Nebula (M57) is located in the Lyra region. It transits around 20:00–22:00 during Summer, making it well-positioned for observation. use the main stars of Lyra as guide stars and confirm the exact position with a star chart or app.

Observation Tips

For nebula observation, using UHC or OIII filters improves contrast and reveals more detailed structures. Observing from dark-sky locations is ideal.

Recommended Equipment

We recommend observing from dark skies with a telescope of 80mm aperture or more.

Astrophotography Tips

Ring Nebula (M57) is a popular target for astrophotography. Tracking with an equatorial mount is essential. Long exposures (30 seconds to several minutes) at high ISO reveal details invisible to the naked eye. Stacking multiple images reduces noise and produces beautiful, detailed results.

Summary

M57 is a Planetary Nebula observable in Lyra, rated Advanced level. While it requires a somewhat larger telescope, it is a rewarding object to observe. Try observing it in the Summer night sky!