Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Perseus (Per)  ·  Contains:  Barbell Nebula  ·  Cork Nebula  ·  HD10498  ·  Little Dumbbell  ·  Little Dumbbell Nebula  ·  M 76  ·  NGC 650  ·  NGC 651  ·  PK130-10.1
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Little Dumbbell Nebula - M76, Massimo Di Fusco
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Little Dumbbell Nebula - M76

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Little Dumbbell Nebula - M76, Massimo Di Fusco
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Little Dumbbell Nebula - M76

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Description

The Little Dumbbell Nebula (also known as Messier 76, NGC 650/651, the Barbell Nebula or the Cork Nebula) is a planetary nebula in northern constellation Perseus. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 and included in Charles Messier's catalog of comet-like objects as number 76. It was first recognised as a planetary nebula in 1918 by the astronomer Heber Doust Curtis. However, there is some contention to this claim, as Isaac Roberts in 1891 did suggest that M76 might be similar to the Ring Nebula (M57), being instead as seen from the side view. The structure is now classed as a bipolar planetary nebula (BPNe), denoting two stars which have burst, leaving neutron star or white dwarf remnants and luminous envelopes. Distance to M76 is currently estimated as 2500 light years. The Little Dumbbell Nebula derives its common name from its resemblance to the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) in Vulpecula.

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