M27 - The Dumbbell Nebula
M27 - The Dumbbell Nebula
Technical data:Acquisition date: 20-29 July 2019Exposure: RGB 164x3min -10C, 8.2 hoursTelescope: Omegon 8" F4 AstrographMount: AZ-EQ6Camera: ZWO ASI294 MC ProGuide: TS 60mm scope & T7 cameraControl: EQMOD, Stelarium, APTool, PHD2Processing: PixInsight
This is Messier 27, the Dumbbell nebula, one of the most popular planetary nebula around, located about 1,200 light years from Earth in the constellation of Vulpecula.
The Dumbbell nebula is approximately half a light year in diameter but even at this great distance, the nebula appears quite large, equivalent to about half the diameter of the full Moon.
This object is a planetary nebula which is created when a star blows off its outer layers after it has run out of fuel to burn. These outer layers of gas expand into space, forming a nebula which is shaped like a dumbbell bubble. In the past these objects were confused with planets hence the weird name.
