Image: M27 - Dumbbell Nebula

Description: The Dumbbell Nebula — also known as Messier 27 or NGC 6853 — is a typical planetary nebula and is located in the constellation Vulpecula (The Fox). The distance is rather uncertain, but is believed to be around 1200 light-years. It was first described by the French astronomer and comet hunter Charles Messier who found it in 1764 and included it as no. 27 in his famous list of extended sky objects. Despite its class, the Dumbbell Nebula has nothing to do with planets. It consists of very rarified gas that has been ejected from the hot central star now in one of its last evolutionary stages. Colours & filters Band Wavelength Telescope Optical B 429 nm Very Large Telescope FORS1 Optical Oiii 501 nm Very Large Telescope FORS1 Optical H-alpha 656 nm Very Large Telescope FORS1 .
Title: M27 - Dumbbell Nebula
Credit: http://www.eso.org/public/images/eso9846a/
Author: ESO
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