M27 the Dumbbell Nebula- a Cosmos Mothra (2024)

FAQs

Where is M27 dumbbell nebula? ›

Also known as the Dumbbell Nebula, M27 resides more than 1,200 light-years away in the constellation Vulpecula.

2,544 light years

Little Dumbbell Nebula / Distance to Earth

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.

Although the Dumbell is not the only planetary nebula that is visible in 10×50 binoculars, it is significantly easier to see than any other, but will need a larger instrument with more magnification to show some structure. The progenitor star is far too faint to be seen, even in large binoculars.

It was John Herschel, William's son, who, in 1828, gave it the name “dumbbell”, by comparing its shape to the weight that's used in your workout session. But it was French astronomer, Charles Messier, who discovered it on July 12, 1764. In fact, it was the first such planetary nebula ever discovered.

French astronomer Charles Messier spotted it in 1764. The Hubble images of the Dumbbell show many knots, but their shapes vary. Some look like fingers pointing at the central star, located just off the upper left of the image; others are isolated clouds, with or without tails.

The Ghost Nebula (designated Sh2-136, VdB 141) is a reflection nebula located in the constellation Cepheus. It lies near the cluster NGC 7023. Looking at the adjacent image, the nebula's name is easily understood. The Ghost Nebula is referred to as a globule (catalogued CB230) and over 2 light-years across.

1.44 light years

Dumbbell Nebula / Radius

The central star in the Dumbbell Nebula is a white dwarf with with a visual magnitude of 13.5 and a radius of 0.055 solar radii, which makes the star the largest white dwarf known. The star has an estimated mass of 0.56 solar masses. It is an extremely hot bluish star with an estimated temperature of 85,000 K.

The nebula is about 1200 light years away and is 2 light years in diameter. The red glow is from ionized hydrogen and the blue-green from ionized oxygen. The remnant central star, visible in the photo, is a white dwarf. It is composed of hot dense matter, but lacks a fusion engine at its core.

Is the Dumbbell Nebula in the Milky Way? ›

Messier 27 (NGC 6853), also known as the Dumbbell Nebula, is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Vulpecula, in the Orion Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy in the Local Group of galaxies. M27 is 1350 light years away from Earth.

You'll need to look between the stars Deneb and Altair of the Summer Triangle, above the small constellations of Delphinus and Sagitta. You can use a stargazing app on your smartphone to help identify nearby bright stars to help you “star hop” over to this nebula.

The 27th object on Messier's list, now known as M27 or the Dumbbell Nebula, is a planetary nebula, the type of nebula our Sun will produce when nuclear fusion stops in its core. M27 is one of the brightest planetary nebulae on the sky, and can be seen toward the constellation of the Fox (Vulpecula) with binoculars.

1,360 light years

Dumbbell Nebula / Distance to Earth

Use scopes of at least 8 inches (200 mm) and focal lengths of less than a 1000 mm for faint, larger nebulae. For fainter, smaller nebulae, scopes of at least 8 inches and focal lengths of 1000 mm or more are recommended. Planetary nebulae: large scopes with long focal lengths are superior.

The nebula, also known as Messier 27 (M27), was the first planetary nebula ever discovered. French astronomer Charles Messier spotted it in 1764. The Hubble images of the Dumbbell show many knots, but their shapes vary.

1. Taurus the Bull. Sometimes called the oldest named constellation, Taurus the Bull can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter and early spring. The red giant star Aldebaran makes up one of the Bull's eyes.