M97 (Owl Nebula) Complete Guide — Planetary Nebula in Ursa Major

Overview

Owl Nebula (M97) is a Planetary Nebula located in Ursa Major, cataloged as NGC 3587. With an apparent magnitude of 9.9, it lies About 2,600 light-years from Earth. This Advanced-level object is best observed in the Spring 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	M97
Catalog Number	NGC 3587
Object Type	Planetary Nebula
Constellation	Ursa Major
Apparent Magnitude	9.9
Distance	About 2,600 light-years
Best Season	Spring
Difficulty	Advanced
Required Equipment	Medium telescope

Physical Characteristics

This object is located About 2,600 light-years from Earth with an apparent magnitude of 9.9.

Observation Guide

How to Find

Owl Nebula (M97) is located in the Ursa Major region. It transits around 20:00–22:00 during Spring, making it well-positioned for observation. use the main stars of Ursa Major 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

Owl Nebula (M97) 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

M97 is a Planetary Nebula observable in Ursa Major, rated Advanced level. While it requires a somewhat larger telescope, it is a rewarding object to observe. Try observing it in the Spring night sky!