M97 = NGC3587 ( 11h 14.8m +55°01´, 11.2 mag. )
Owl Nebula was discovered by Mechain on February 16, 1781 and Messier observed it on March 24 same year. The name, however, comes from Lord Rosse's impression of M97 in his giant reflector.
M97 is regarded as one of the more complex of the planetaries. The 16th magnitude central star has about 0.7 solar masses and the nebula itself about 0.15 solar masses. The nebula formed roughly 6,000 years ago.
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M97 The Owl Nebula
Description: planetary nebula
Constellation: Ursa Major
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A planetary nebula (M97, NGC 3587) in the constellation of Ursa Major, approximately 600 pc distant.
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The constellation of Ursa Major is the location of the famous Owl Nebula, M97. This planetary nebula got its name from the two round dark regions, which resemble the eyes of an owl.
Ursa Major has five Messier objects: M40, M81, M82, M97, and M101. M40 is the Messier object that really isn't one. In 1764 Messier went looking for an object that had been catalogued as a nebulosity in this area.
M40 Winecke 4 (double star)
M81 Bode's Galaxy or Bode's Nebula (spiral galaxy)
M82 The Cigar Galaxy (irregular galaxy)
M97 The Owl Nebula (planetary nebula)
M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy (spiral galaxy)
M108 (spiral galaxy)
M109 (spiral galaxy) ...
The Big Dipper that we know and love is the bottom left part of Ursa Major. The splotches labeled M81, M82, and M101 are galaxies; M97 is a nebula. You'd need a telescope to see these objects. Photo and diagram courtesy of O.
who found it on Messier's copy of his 1781 catalogue; M105 through M107 were observed by Messier's chief comet hunting rival, Pierre Mechain (1744-1804) and were added in 1947; M108 and M109 were mentioned by Messier in his description of M97 and ...
Messier Object 97 - M97
Messier Object 98 - M98
Messier Object 99 - M99
Messier Object 100 - M100
Messier Object 101 - M101
Messier Object 102 - M102
Messier Object 103 - M103
Messier Object 104 - M104
Messier Object 105 - M105 ...
 See also: Nebula, Constellation, Star, Ursa Major, Planet
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