The Ring Nebula M57 lies in the constellation Lyra at an estimated 2,300 LYs from Earth.  It is considered the prototype
of Planetary Nebula.  It's bright central star is a White Dwarf which shines at magnitude fifteen (faintly visible in the above
image) with a temperature of 100,000K.  It will slowly cool over the next billion yearts, eventually becoming a Black Dwarf.
The bright gaseous ring is the result of this star's outer layers being blown into space at the end of it's Mira-like phase.  

June 19, 2010
8" Astro-Tech RC, f/8
Canon Digital Rebel 500D / Modified (Hutech)
24 Minutes / 8x240s @ 800ASA
Orion StarShoot AutoGuider
Skyhawk Observatory, West Bend, WI
Rick Kazmierski


Messier 57