M27     The Dumbbell Nebula in Vulpecula (NGC 6853)

        Object type:             Planetary nebula

        Distance from Earth:      3500 light years / 1100 parsecs

        Distance across Nebula:   8 arc minutes


        The Dumbbell Nebula is so named due to its resemblance to a 
        dumbbell when seen through small telescopes.  Planetary nebulae 
        were named in the 18th century by Sir William Herschel who likened 
        their telescopic appearance to that of the planets Uranus and Neptune.
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