M27 - Dumbbel Nebula

The nebula forms as the star's outer layers are expelled into space, with a visible glow generated by atoms excited by the dying star's intense but invisible ultraviolet light. The Dumbbell Nebula, the beautifully symmetric interstellar gas cloud, is over 2.5 light-years across and about 1,200 light-years away in the constellation Vulpecula.

This impressive color composite highlights subtle jet features in the nebula. It was recorded with a robotic telescope sited in Hawaii using narrow band filters sensitive to emission from oxygen atoms (shown in green) and hydrogen atoms. The hydrogen emission is seen as red (H-alpha) and fainter bluish hues (H-beta).

Telescope: APM Astrograph 107, f/6.5 with Baader Steeltrack Focuser and 2.5'' TS FF
Mount: HEQ5 Pro
Camera: QHY8
Filter: IDAS LPS
Guidescope: Skywatcher 70/500mm
Guide with LVI SmartGuider
Exp. Time: 100 mins, bin 1x1
Calibration Frames: 30 flat, 50 bias
Capture: Nebulosity 2.2.5
Stack: Nebulosity 2.2.5 & Deep Sky Stacker
Processing: Photoshop CS3
Date: 10 Jul 2010
Location: Parnon Mount, GR

M27 - Dumbbel Nebula Wiki