Today's Image

Dumbbell nebula

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August 17, 2016

Dumbbell nebula: Translucent spherical shell of blue gas, its configuration making a figure 8 shape of darker gas in the middle. — The Dumbbell nebula (M27), a planetary nebula about 1,360 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Vulpecula. Image via Tom Wildoner. Used with permission.

Thanks so much to Tom Wildoner for sharing his photo with us. Tom wrote:

The Dumbbell nebula (Messier 27, M27 or NGC 6853) is a bright planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula. It is easily seen in binoculars and wide-field photographs.

Here’s more from Tom about this shot:

The image is composed of 19-minutes of data (15 second subs at ISO 4000) with additional dark and bias frames.

Tech Info: Meade LX90 12” telescope, Antares Focal Reducer, and Canon 6D camera. Imaging was done on July 27, 2016 and I also incorporated some data collected in 2015.

Tom’s got more great photos on his Facebook page, here.

Bottom line: Tom Wildoner got this great shot of the Dumbbell nebula. Also known as Messier 27, it’s in the constellation Vulpecula and is about 1,360 light-years away.

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August 17, 2016

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Today's Image

Eleanor Imster

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About the Author:

Eleanor Imster has helped write and edit EarthSky since 1995. She was an integral part of the award-winning EarthSky radio series almost since it began until it ended in 2013. She and her husband live in Tennessee, where they enjoy guitar playing and singing. They have 2 grown sons.