Messier Object 27, The Dumbbell Nebula

Messier Object 27, M 27

The Dumbbell Nebula

Image Information
Date Imaged	4/27/2008
Location Imaged From	Barking Pumkin Observatory, Tierra del Sol, CA
Equipment	Telescope: Meade 10" LX200 Mount: Meade Ulti- Wedge Camera: SBIG ST-2000XM Focal Ratio: f/6.3
Exposure Information	Astrodon Ha filter: 8 X 600 sec
The Dumbbell Nebula (also known as Messier 27, M 27, or NGC 6853) is a planetary nebula (PN) in the Vulpecula constellation, at a distance of about 1360 light years. This object was the first planetary nebula to be discovered; by Charles Messier in 1764. At its brightness of visual magnitude 7.5 and its diameter of about 8 arcminutes, it is easily visible in binoculars, and a great observing target in amateur telescopes.