Ring Nebula

RA 18:54; Dec 33:02 (Lyra)
Distance: 5000 ly
Type: planetary nebula
The Ring Nebula is the probably most famous planetary nebula, it is certainly a good example of the class. It was the first planetary nebula to be discovered.
Planetary nebulae are much, much smaller than diffuse nebulae and thus much more difficult to observe. The Ring Nebula is only about half a light-year across. (But, for perspective, that is roughly 500 times the diameter of the solar system.)
It has a relatively high surface brightness and so is somewhat easier to see with amateur equipment. The central star, however, is very dim.