Right Ascension	19 : 59.6 (h:m)
Declination	+22 : 43 (deg:m)
Distance	1.25 (kly)
Visual Brightness	7.4 (mag)
Apparent Dimension	8.0x5.7 (arc min)
Discovered by	Charles Messier July 12th, 1764

The Dumbbell Nebula M27 was the first planetary nebula ever discovered. On July 12, 1764, Charles Messier discovered this new and fascinating class of objects. We happen to see this one approximately from its equatorial plane (approx. left-to-right in our image); from near one pole, it would probably have the shape of a ring, and perhaps look like we view the Ring Nebula M57.

This planetary nebula is certainly the most impressive object of its kind in the sky, as the angular diameter of the luminous body is nearly 6 arc minutes, with a faint halo extending out to over 15', half the apparent diameter of the Moon. It is also among the brightest, being at most little less luminous with its estimated apparent visual magnitude 7.4 than the brightest, the Helix Nebula NGC 7293 in Aquarius, with 7.3, which however has a much lower surface brightness because of its larger extension (estimates from Stephen Hynes); it is a bit unusual that this planetary is only little fainter photographically (mag 7.6).

The bright portion of the nebula is apparently expanding at a rate of 6.8 arc seconds per year, leading to an estimated age of 3000 to 4000 years.

" Nebula without a star, discovered in Vulpecula,between the two forepaws,...."It can be seen clearly in a simple three and a half foot (long) refractor.

Courtesy www.seds.org