Editing Ring Nebula (section)

==Observation==
[[File:M57-v2.png|thumb|Location of the Ring Nebula in the constellation Lyra]]
M57 is found south of the bright star [[Vega]], which forms the northwestern vertex of the [[Summer Triangle]] asterism. The nebula lies about 40% of the distance from [[Beta Lyrae|Beta]] (β) to [[Gamma Lyrae|Gamma]] (γ) Lyrae, making it an easy target for [[Amateur astronomy|amateur astronomers]] to find.<ref name=crossen_rhemann2004/>

The nebula disk has an angular size of {{nowrap|1.5 × 1 [[Minute and second of arc|arcminutes]]}}, making it too small to be resolved with 10×50 [[binoculars]].<ref name=crossen_rhemann2004/> It is best observed using a [[telescope]] with an [[aperture]] of at least {{Convert|20|cm|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}, but even a {{Convert|7.5|cm|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} telescope will reveal its elliptical ring shape.<ref name="nightsky">
 {{cite book
  | last = Dunlop
  | first = Storm
  | author-link = Storm Dunlop
  | title = Atlas of the Night Sky
  | url = https://archive.org/details/collinsatlasofni0000dunl
  | url-access = registration
  | publisher = [[HarperCollins|Collins]]
  | date = 2005
  | isbn = 978-0-00-717223-8
}}
</ref> Using a UHC or OIII filter greatly enhances visual observation, particularly in [[Light pollution|light polluted]] areas. The interior hole can be resolved by a {{Convert|10|cm|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} instrument at a magnification of 100×.<ref name=crossen_rhemann2004/> Larger instruments will show a few darker zones on the eastern and western edges of the ring and some faint nebulosity inside the disk.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://messierobjects101.com/messier-object-m57-ring-nebula/ |title=M 57 |website=Messier Objects Mobile — Charts, Maps & Photos |df=ymd|date=2016-10-16 }}</ref> The central [[star]], at magnitude 14.8, is difficult to spot.<ref name="nightsky" />