M57 is a planetary nebula in Lyra. The name describes a class of glowing material shed by a star, not a planet. Its small apparent size makes a detailed chart and a careful field match especially useful.
Find it at low power first
Use the familiar bright star Vega to establish Lyra, then follow a chart to the nebula's field. At low power the target can be a small, less star-like patch. Increase magnification only after you have confirmed its position and the view remains steady.
Use the Faint objects goal with little moonlight and a reasonably high altitude. The ring appearance depends on equipment and conditions, and the central star is a much harder target than the nebula itself. Do not treat the detail in a space-telescope image as a visual checklist.
Record the shape you can confidently distinguish and whether the centre looked darker. A cautious sketch of a small oval or patch is more useful than a detailed description driven by what you expected to see.
Check it from your location
A target's altitude and direction change with your location and time. Use a city session to see sampled positions. Deep-sky objects also need enough darkness and suitable optics; being above the horizon does not mean they will be visible.
Sources and review
Reviewed October 22, 2026 by PiSpace Sky editorial. Date-sensitive details can change.