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Messier 27 |
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 | The Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC6853) is a planetary nebula in Vulpecula, whose central blue star continues to ionize the surrounding gas. At a distance of approximately 850 light-years, this is one of the closest known planetary nebulae: however, as with all planetary nebulae this distance is not very well known and could be wrong by even as much as a factor of two.
In a 8-inch scope at 49X, it is fairly bright grey, and has an irregular shape similar to an hourglass or an apple core. Off to the sides are fainter, dark gray smudges. At 81X, the contrast between the nebula and the background sky is improved. The outer edges of the hourglass appear to be only slightly curved, and aren't quite parallel with each other. One end of the nebula is noticeably brighter. With averted vision, little patches of fainter and darker gray are strewn throughout the core of the nebula, with the center being the faintest. |
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Dumbbell Nebula M27 NGC 6853 Other description: Planetary nebula irregular. Constellation: Vulpecula Dreyer description: A magnificent (or otherwise interesting) object!, very bright, very large, binuclear, irregular extended (Dumbbell); = M27. Magnitude: 8.1 RA: 19h 59m 47.2s Dec: +22°43'24" RA: 19h 59m 36.0s Dec: +22°43'00" (Epoch 2000) Azm: 118°51'17" Alt: +53°48'30" Rise: 19:00 Transit: 02:50 Set: 10:37 Size:15.2' |