M27 Dumbell Nebula APOD
M27 Dumbell Nebula BiColor
Selected by NASA for Astronomy Picture of the Day Dec 27 2011
M27 Dumbbell Nebula also known as NGC6853 is in the constellation Vulpecula. It is approximately 1360 light years from Earth. It is about 8 x 6 arcminutes in size and an apparent magnitude of 7.5 This is a easily visible target in Binoculars and amateur telescopes. M27 is composed of the gas ejected from a dieing star. The remains of this star, is the white dwarf at the center if the object. All the expanding gas and dust in this image was inside that star.
Close up of M27
Can you see the Face In M27
M27 20min Ha Subframe
M27 20min OIII Subframe
M27 20min Ha Subframes x 17 = 340 min combined image
M27 20min OIII Subframes x 12 = 240min combined image
Scope Planewave 17in
Camera Apogee U16
Mount Paramount ME
Filters Astrodon Ha5nm OIII3nm
Exposures Ha 5.6hrs OIII 4hrs 20min subs
Location Sierra Nevada Mountains CA. Heavens Mirror Observatory SRO 2011