The Ring Nebula is a planetary nebula in the northern constellation of Lyra. Such objects are formed when a shell of ionized gas is expelled into the surrounding interstellar medium by a red giant star, which was passing through the last stage in its evolution before becoming a white dwarf.

Distance to Earth: 2,283 light years

Radius: 1.3 light years

Absolute magnitude (V): −0.2+0.7; −1.8

Coordinates: RA 18h 53m 35s | Dec +33° 1′ 45″

Apparent dimensions (V): 230″ × 230″

Did you know: The Ring Nebula is about 2000 light years from Earth, and has a diameter of about one light year.