The Dumbbell Nebula (also known as Messier 27, M 27, or NGC 6853) is a planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula.
Some characteristics:
Distance from Earth — 1,250 light-years.
Apparent magnitude — 7.4.
Apparent dimensions — 8.0 × 5.7 arcminutes.
Age — estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 years.
Shape — dumbbell-shaped; in a telescope with an aperture of 80 mm or more, fainter "ears" can be noticed.
Central star — a white dwarf, with a visual magnitude of 13.5.
Discovery — made in 1764 by Charles Messier.
The nebula's name was given by John Herschel, who observed it in 1828 (it reminded him of exercise dumbbells).
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