The Dumbbell Nebula (also known as Messier Object 27, M27, or NGC 6853) is a planetary nebula in the Vulpecula constellation, at a distance of about 1250 light years.
This object was the first planetary to be discovered; by Charles Messier in 1764. At its brightness of visual magnitude 7.4 and its diameter of about 8 arcminutes, it is easily visible in binoculars, and a great observing target in amateur telescopes.
It is estimated that the Dumbbell Nebula is 3,000 to 4,000 years old.
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