The
Dumbbell Nebula (also known as the
Apple Core Nebula,
Messier 27, and
NGC 6853) is a
planetary nebula (nebulosity surrounding a white dwarf) in the
constellationVulpecula, at a distance of about 1360
light-years. It was the first such nebula to be discovered, by
Charles Messier in 1764.
The Dumbbell Nebula appears shaped like a [url=mw-redirect=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolate_spheroid]prolate spheroid[/url] and is viewed from our perspective along the plane of its equator. Like many nearby planetary nebulae, the Dumbbell contains knots.
Its central region is marked by a pattern of dark and bright cusped knots and their associated dark tails - details which can be much better seen with a much larger telescope.
The central star, a
white dwarf progenitor, is estimated to have a radius which is 0.055±0.02
R☉ (0.13 light seconds) .
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