Messier Object 27, The Dumbbell Nebula

Messier Object 27, M 27

The Dumbbell Nebula

Image Information
Date Imaged	8/24/2004
Location Imaged From	Tierra del Sol, CA
Equipment	Telescope: Meade?" LX200 Mount: Meade Standard Wedge Camera: SBIG ST-7e Focal Ratio: f/10
Exposure Information	Unguided 2min X 10 RGB, Binned 2X2
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.