| M 27 Dumbbell Planetary Nebula
(NGC 6853) Located in the constellation Vulpecula just west of Cygnus the Swan, at a distance of 980 light years. The Dumbbell is a remnant of a nova, the gases of which continue to spread outward from the cataclysmic event. M 27 shines at an overall magnitude of 8.1 and is 15.2' arc minutes in size, about half the diameter of the moon. It derives its name from the sphere of gas surrounding the small remnant of the central star, forming a "dumbbell type" shape. This object is readily visible in small telescopes and can be seen with binoculars as well. |
| Telescope / Lens | Celestron 11" SCT OTA |
| Mount Type | G11 Gemini V3 |
| Camera | ST8XE |
| Filters | CFW8a Custom Scientific LRGB |
| Film | CCD |
| Exposure | LRGB 115 minutes; L: 60, R:15, G:15, B:25 |
| Processing | CCDSoft, AIP4Win, Photoshop CS2 |
| Date | 8-16-2001 |
| Location | Eagles Rest, 15 miles
South of Dexter, Oregon 122° 44' 07" 38" W - 43° 50' N |
| Conditions | 2500' magnitude 6+ Skies; Clear & Steady |