Emission nebula | |
---|---|
Planetary nebula | |
Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
Right ascension | 19h 59m 36.319s[1] |
Declination | +22° 43′ 16.312″[1] |
Distance | 389+15 −6[1] pc |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 7.4[2] |
Apparent dimensions (V) | 8.0′ × 5.6′[3] |
Constellation | Vulpecula |
Physical characteristics | |
Radius | 1.44+0.21 −0.16[a] ly |
Absolute magnitude (V) | −0.6+0.4 −0.3[d] |
Notable features | Central star radius is among the largest known for a white dwarf. |
Designations | NGC 6853,[1] M 27,[1] Diabolo Nebula,[1] Dumb-Bell Nebula,[1] |
The Dumbbell Nebula (also known as the Apple Core Nebula, Messier 27, and NGC 6853) is a planetary nebula (nebulosity surrounding a white dwarf) in the constellation Vulpecula, at a distance of about 1360 light-years.[1] It was the first such nebula to be discovered, by Charles Messier in 1764. At its brightness of visual magnitude 7.5 and diameter of about 8 arcminutes, it is easily visible in binoculars[4] and is a popular observing target in amateur telescopes.