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M 27 (NGC 6853)   Dumbbell Nebula 

M 27 is a planetary nebula located within the stream of the Milky Way in the constellation Vulpecula. This object was discovered by Charles Messier in July of 1764, and has the distinction of being the first planetary nebula discovered. It was later observed by William Herschell, but it was his son John that gave the nebula its common name, calling it "a nebula shaped like a dumbbell".
M 27 is one of the most-studied planetary nebulas. It lies at an estimated distance of 1150 LY, and has a physical diameter of approximately 3 LY. While the central star has a visual magnitude of only 13.5, it has a very high temperature and its ultraviolet radiation ionizes the surrounding shell of gases. The red components in the image, which help give the object its "dumbbell" or "hourglass" shape, are due to Hα emissions, while the more diffuse blue-green component is due to OIII and Hβ emissions. In some images (unfortunately, not mine), a larger shell of glowing gas surrounding the main nebula can be detected.

Date(s) Acquired: 15 September 2015
Telescope: Orion 120mm EON Apochromatic Refractor
Camera: QSI Model 583

 

   Exposure Time (min) 
   Number of Exposures
   RGB
   1.5
   
   -
   
   -
   OIII
   -
   RGB
   20
   
   0
   
   0
   OIII
   0

 

Processing:
Master red, green, and blue images created using SIAM.
Color composite image created using Basic Processing Procedure III.
Color composite image contrast-stretched using Adobe Photoshop.




 

 

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