The Ring Nebula M57. The Ring Nebula is a "planetary nebula"- the ionized gas expelled from a star 1-6 X mass of the sun. The aging star that remains is a hot white dwarf. The Ring is 1,140 light years from earth. Left hand photo was taken with a research grade CCD camera at University of Arizona's Mt Lemmon Observatory with a 36" reflector during "Astronomy Camp" in April 2000. The Right side photo is the result of 12 X1 minute exposures with a Canon 10D and a 6" refractor in Summit County on July 12, 2004.