Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Vulpecula (Vul)  ·  Contains:  Dumbbell Nebula  ·  M 27  ·  NGC 6853
M27 : the Dumbbell Nebula (NGC 68539, maragus
M27 : the Dumbbell Nebula (NGC 68539
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M27 : the Dumbbell Nebula (NGC 68539

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Description

The Dumbbell Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula.
The Nebula is a result of an old start that has shed (get rid of) its outer layers in a glowing display of  color. It is therefore  surrounding a white dwarf, whose radius is among the largest known for a white dwarf.
M27 hosts many knots of gas and dust. Their sizes typically range from 17 billion to 56 billion kilometers, which is several times larger than the distance from the sun to Pluto.
Each contains as much mass as three Earths! 
These dense knots of gas and dust seem to be a natural part of the evolution of planetary nebulas. They form when the stellar winds are not powerful enough to blow away a larger clump of matter but are able to blow away smaller particles, creating a trail behind  the clump. the shapes of these knots change as the nebula expands.

It appears shaped like a prolate spheroid and it is views along the plane of its equator.

It was spotted by Messier in 1764, it was the first planetary nebulas ever discovered.


Apparent magnitude : 7.5

Apparent dimensions : 8.0'x 5.6'

Radius : 1,44 (+0.21 -0.16) ly

Distance : 1360 ly from Earth

RA : 19h 59m 36.34s

Dec : +22° 43' 16.09''

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M27 : the Dumbbell Nebula (NGC 68539, maragus