Map of the Universe
Ring Nebula
Planetary nebula · Planetary nebula in Lyra
About the Ring Nebula
The Ring Nebula is about 2,577 light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 2,577 years ago.
It is 25,974 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way.
The map lists it as a planetary nebula and shows it among the stars around the Sun, drawn on the plane of the Milky Way.
Key numbers
| Distance | 2,577 light-years (790 pc) |
|---|---|
| Distance from the Galactic centre | 25,974 light-years |
| Galactic coordinates | l = 63.20°, b = +14.00° |
| Size | about 1.3 light-years across |
Where it is
Its place in the universe, from the inside out: Milky Way › Local Group › Virgo Supercluster › Laniakea Supercluster › Observable universe.
Zoom out to see it in context: Local Arm, a view about 12,000 light-years across.
From Wikipedia
The Ring Nebula is a planetary nebula in the northern constellation of Lyra, about mid-way between the prominent stars Beta and Gamma Lyrae. It is also catalogued as Messier 57, M57 and NGC 6720. The nebula was discovered by Charles Messier in 1779.
Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Ring Nebula, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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