Pictures of the Dumbbell Nebula

The Dumbbell nebula, M27, is located about 1,200 lightyears away in the Vulpecula constellation and at mag. +7.5, it can be observed in the night sky with a telescope.

It's not to be confused, though, with the Little Dumbbell Nebula, which is a different object altogether!

See Hubble's image of the Little Dumbbell Nebula for comparison.

The Dumbbell Nebula is a type of nebula known as a planetary nebula. These objects do not have anything to do with planets, but are known as such because they often have puffed-up, spherical shapes.

Planetary nebulae are produced when a Sun-like star begins to reach the end of its life and starts shedding its outer layers into space.

The stream of charged particles - known as a stellar wind - emanating from the star is unable to eject large chunks of cosmic material, instead gently blowing away smaller particles. The resulting expanding shell gives the planetary nebula its distinctive shape.

Is this what will happen when the Sun dies? Studying the fates of Sun-like stars certainly gives astronomers a key insight into its possible end state.

The Dumbbell Nebula is another entry in Charles Messier's deep-sky Messier Catalogue, and it was discovered by the French astronomer in 1764.

If you would like to observe some planetary nebulae for yourself, read our pick of the best planetary nebulae to see in the night sky.

And for help with photographing the night sky, read our astrophotography guides and discover the best cameras for astrophotography.

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