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When talking about Orion, we’re actually referring to the main part of a much larger
cloud of hydrogen gas and dust, which spreads out over the half of the Orion constel-
lation. The expanse of this enormous cloud stretches several hundred light years.
Ring Nebula in Lyra constellation (M 57)
M 57 in the Lyra constellation
Distance: 2,412 light years from Earth
The famous Ring Nebula (M 57) in the constellation of Lyra is often viewed as the
prototype of a planetary nebula; it is one of the magnificent features of the Northern
Hemisphere’s summer sky. Recent studies have shown that it is probably comprised
of a ring (torus) of brightly shining material that surrounds the central star (only vis-
ible with larger telescopes), and not of a gas structure in the form of a sphere or an
ellipse.
If you were to look at the Ring Nebula from the side, it would look like the Dumbbell
Nebula (M27). With this object, we’re looking directly at the pole of the nebula.
Dumbbell Nebula in the Vulpecula (Fox) constellation (M 27)
M 27 in the Fox constellation
Distance: 1,360 light years from Earth
The Dumbbell Nebula (M 27) in the Fox constellation was the first planetary nebula
ever discovered. On 12 July 1764, Charles Messier discovered this new and fasci-
nating class of objects. We see this object almost directly from its equatorial plane.
If you could see the Dumbbell Nebula from one of its poles, it would probably reveal
that it’s in the shape of a ring, and we would see something very similar to what we
know from the Ring Nebula (M 57). In reasonably good weather, we can see this
object well even at small magnifications.
f=20 mm
f=6 mm
The Moon
Orion Nebula (M 42)
Ring Nebula in Lyra constellation (M 57)
Dumbbell Nebula in the Vulpecula (Fox) constellation (M 27)
