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The Dumbbell Nebula (M27) -- Located in the constellation Vulpecula

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HOW TO FIND

The Dumbbell Nebula:

step 1
Locate the constellation Delphinus, the Dolphin.
find Dumbbell Nebula step one
step 2
Identify the star Rotanev.
find Dumbbell Nebula step one
step 3
Locate the constellation Cygnus, the Swan.
find Dumbbell Nebula step one
step 4
Identify the star Albireo.
find Dumbbell Nebula step four
step 5
Now draw a line between these 2 stars.
find Dumbbell Nebula step five
step 6
Follow this line nearly two-thirds of the way from Rotanev to Ablireo. There you'll find the Dumbbell Nebula.
find dumbell step six

As you can see, you don't need to perform a lot of heavy lifting to find the Dumbbell Nebula. But whatever lengths you go to, the sight of this planetary nebula will reward your efforts. Astronomy binoculars or a basic telescope will put this celestial wonder in plain view.

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The Ring Nebula

Interesting Facts About the Dumbbell Nebula

  • Located just 1,360 light years from Earth and with an apparent magnitude of 7.5, this nebula is a popular and easily-found tour stop for many star hoppers.
  • Like the Ring Nebula, the Dumbbell Nebula is a planetary nebula, which is formed by a central star illuminating its expansive gas cloud.
  • The star at the center of the Dumbbell Nebula is a white dwarf. But it's not just any white dwarf. This one's central star radius largest on record for a white dwarf.
  • The estimated age of this nebula is no more than 15,000 years- pretty young in cosmic terms.
  • Of course, this nebula it looks like a dumbbell, but if you want to sound smart when discussing its shape, call it a prolate spheroid. You'll be right, and someone might be impressed.

    • Check Out the Dumbbell Nebula

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    The Dumbbell Nebula is easily visible in any backyard telescope and one of the most popular attractions for amateur astronomers. It's time to see for yourself.

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    From focusers to finderscopes, from star charts to software, all the accessories you need to find the Dumbbell Nebula and highlight its details are right here.

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    M42 & M13: courtesy of Tim Hunter and James McGaha, Grasslands Observatory at http://www.3towers.com; M31 & M45: courtesy of Herm Perez, http://home.att.net/~hermperez/default.htm; M8: courtesy of Bob Star, http://www.flickr.com/photos/52031391@N00/70287323 / CC BY 2.0

    helpful information

    2009: The International Year of Astronomy

    With the theme "The Universe, Yours to Discover," a United Nations agency is bringing astronauts, artists, scientists, academics, and others together during the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first observation of the heavens in 1609.

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