Messier Object 27, The Dumbbell Nebula

Messier Object 27, M 27

The Dumbbell Nebula

Image Information
Date Imaged	6/25 & 26/2011
Location Imaged From
Location Imaged From	Tierra del Sol , CA
Equipment	Telescope: Astro Tech 8" RC Mount: Losmandy G11 w/ Gemini Camera: SBIG ST-2000XM Astrodon True-Balance Filters Focal Ratio: f/8.0
Exposure Information	HaLRGB -120:90:100:80:100
Data collection using: CCD Commander CCDSoft FocusMax PinPoint TheSky6 Pro Image Calibration - Maxim DL Image Registration - Maxim DL Image Stacking - Maxim DL Post processing in Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended I think I'm finally getting the concept of integration of hydrogen Alpha data with the RGB data. 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.