M27 · planetary nebula
Dumbbell Nebula
The Dumbbell Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula, at a distance of about 1360 light-years.
RA19h 59m 36sDec+22° 43' 15"
Identity & coordinates
Identification
- Primary designation
- M27
- All designations
- M27 · NGC 6853 · Dumbbell Nebula
- Object type
- Planetary Nebula
- Constellation
- Vulpecula
- Best viewing
- Summer
Coordinates & physical
- Right ascension (J2000)
- 19h 59m 36s
- Declination (J2000)
- +22° 43' 15"
- Apparent magnitude (V)
- —
- Distance
- —
Visibility tonight
In your gallery
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August 8, 2025 · Backyard Observatory, Michigan
A Star's Last Sentence
A planetary nebula isn't planets. It's the punctuation at the end of a star's sentence.
- Integration
- 2h 24m
- Subs
- 144 × 60s
- Telescope
- Celestron Origin
- Camera
- Sony IMX178 (built-in)
- Bortle
- 6
- Moon
- Waning Crescent, 18%
The science
The Dumbbell Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula, at a distance of about 1360 light-years. It was the first such nebula to be discovered, by Charles Messier in 1764. At its brightness of visual magnitude 7.5 and diameter of about 8 arcminutes, it is easily visible in binoculars and is a popular observing target in amateur telescopes.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0
References
- SIMBAD Not resolved
- NED Fetched May 8, 2026 View in NED ↗
- Wikipedia Fetched May 8, 2026 Read full article ↗
1 merge conflict resolved
- coordinates: SIMBAD missing → NED used