M27 - Dumbbell Nebula

oeswww

531208

Deep Sky

Mar 29th, 2026

1153

NGC 6853

Resolution:: 2560x1816 px
File size:: 3887 KB

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Photo description / processing

HOO + RGB integration begins. In reality, the integration includes sessions with different exposures and temperatures, and I didn’t go into the details. Processing by Evgeny Sergeev. In fact, his work on this nebula (https://deepskyhosting.com/NOQ5L66) originally inspired me to reshoot the Dumbbell Nebula and aim for a similar result. However, I made quite a few mistakes during shooting, and the mount sometimes didn’t cooperate. So the result could be improved in terms of detail.

Technical information

Telescope/Lens: Sky-Watcher 200PDS
Camera: ZWO ASI294MM Pro
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R PRO
Guide Scope: SVBONY SV106 60/240
Guide Camera: Zwo ASI662MC
Accessories: MEYON F4/5 1x 2-inch MPCC
Software: Pixinsight

Location: Научный, Россия

Light pollution

Green, Bortle 4 zone

Date taken: Jul 1st, 2025

Exposure

51 × 300″ · ISO/Gain: 120 · Antlia H-a 3nm · Jul 1st, 2025
52 × 300″ · ISO/Gain: 120 · Antlia OIII 3nm · Jul 1st, 2025

Total exposure: 8 h 35 m

Comments

poiskovik_RZN

A bit over-sharpened the stars, looks awesome!)

Mar 29th, 2026

oeswwwReply to poiskovik_RZN

You just haven't seen them in their original form. They're simply awful there!)

Mar 30th, 2026

Polyakov Aleksey

A very beautiful butterfly—calling it a "dumbbell" doesn't do justice to the intricate detail in its wings :)

Apr 1st, 2026

oeswwwReply to Polyakov Aleksey

They named it when they visualized it.

Apr 7th, 2026

dmitryspn63

Honestly, the most beautiful photo of the Dumbbell Nebula I've ever seen!))

Apr 7th, 2026

oeswwwReply to dmitryspn63

The absolute best only among ours) I remember Fatalik had a good one. Need to find it and compare.

Apr 7th, 2026

oeswwwReply to dmitryspn63

https://deepskyhosting.com/Fg64wxV shows a bit more detail, but it has three times the total exposure time.

Apr 7th, 2026

dmitryspn63Reply to oeswww

Well, the integration time is longer after all. But honestly, I never imagined it looked like yours until now. Now I'm even thinking of capturing it myself.

Apr 7th, 2026

oeswwwReply to dmitryspn63

Good luck! With a dual-band filter on a color camera, you can achieve a very similar result.

Apr 7th, 2026

IvanRu

Interesting and charming! A second perpendicular dumbbell (to the first dumbbell, the "stub") appeared — usually it's not visible.

Jul 28th, 2026

oeswwwReply to IvanRu

This is already some kind of butterfly.

Jul 28th, 2026

oeswwwReply to IvanRu

Basically, there are already three dumbbells there, and one without a weight set on one side.

Jul 28th, 2026

IvanRuReply to oeswww

We need to classify them: outer dumbbell, inner dumbbell, stub. I just finished my "dumbbell" — there's only a faint hint of the "outer" part (4 hours R-G-B, f/6.5). I think narrowband filters are needed.

Jul 29th, 2026