BLACK DOG OBSERVATORY

M27 (NGC6853) Dumbell Nebula

One of the brightest and best known of the Planetary Nebulae. It is named after its double-lobed appearance. It is estimated to be 3,000-4,000 years 'young'. Its distance is 1,200 light years away in the constellation Vulpecula. Depending on one's location, this nebula appears similar to The Ring Nebula (M57, NGC6720), which of course it's not.