Messier Object 27, The Dumbbell Nebula

Messier Object 27, M 27

The Dumbbell Nebula

Image Information
Date Imaged	6/04/2006
Location Imaged From	Tierra del Sol , CA
Equipment	Telescope: Meade 10" LX200 Mount: Ulti-Wedge Camera: SBIG ST-7e CCD NABG Focal Ratio: f/6.3
Exposure Information	Lum:; 30 X 2 min binned 1 X 1 R & G: 10 x1 2 min binned 2 X 2 Blue: 12 X 1 min binned 2 X 2
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.