M76 · planetary nebula

Little Dumbbell Nebula

The Little Dumbbell Nebula, also known as Messier 76, NGC 650/651, the Barbell Nebula, or the Cork Nebula, is a planetary nebula in the northern constellation of Perseus.

RA01h 42m 19sDec+51° 34' 29"

Image: Göran Nilsson, Wim van Berlo & The Liverpool Telescope. CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: M76
All designations: M76 · NGC 650 · Little Dumbbell Nebula
Object type: Planetary Nebula
Constellation: Perseus
Best viewing: Autumn · Winter

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 01h 42m 19s
Declination (J2000): +51° 34' 29"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —

III

Visibility tonight

The science

The Little Dumbbell Nebula, also known as Messier 76, NGC 650/651, the Barbell Nebula, or the Cork Nebula, is a planetary nebula in the northern constellation of 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 classified as a planetary nebula in 1918 by the astronomer Heber Doust Curtis. However, others might have previously recognized it as a planetary nebula; for example, William Huggins found its spectrum indicated it was a nebula ; and Isaac Roberts in 1891 suggested that M76 might be similar to the Ring Nebula (M57), as seen instead from the side view.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0