Its name M27, "The Dumbbell Nebula", was derived from its interesting hourglass shape. This deep sky wonder is known as a Planetary Nebula even though it has nothing to do with planets. It is actually a representation of a star at the end of its life span that is evolving off the Main Sequence of the Hertzsprung- Russell Diagram (an astronomical chart used to depict the life cycle of stars).

The stars hydrogen fuel is depleted and it undergoes a severe matter expulsion. The matter is ejected into space in an ever expanding shell of hot gas which is illuminated by the extremely hot star. The star that caused the existence of M27 can be seen in this photograph as a small bluish star in the center of the Nebula. Our own Sun will undergo this transformation in around 4 to 6 billion years.

An interesting note: the green color visible in the photograph is caused by Ionized Oxygen. A feature not seen in Emission Nebula such as M8, M42 or M16.

• Type: Planetary Nebula
• Distance from Earth: 800 Light Years
• Exposure Length: (1) x 1hr and (1) x 45min Digitally Combined
• Focal Length: 2,000mm @ f/10
• Guiding: ST-4 AE=A7 @ 2,000mm
• Film: Gas Hypersensitized PPF-Pro 400
• Date: 24AG01