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Credit & Copyright: Data;
Subaru, NAOJ,
Assembly and Processing;
Roberto Colombari
Explanation:
While hunting for comets in the skies above 18th century France,
astronomer Charles Messier
diligently kept a list of the things
he encountered that were definitely not comets.
This is number 27 on his
now
famous not-a-comet list.
In fact, 21st century astronomers would identify it as a
planetary
nebula, but it's not a planet either, even though it may
appear round and
planet-like in a small telescope.
Messier 27 (M27) is an excellent example of a
gaseous
emission nebula created as a
sun-like star runs out
of nuclear fuel in its core.
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.
Known by the popular name of 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 spectacular color image
incorporates broad and narrowband
observations recorded by the 8.2 meter
Subaru telescope.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: M 27 - dumbbell nebula
Publications with words: M 27 - dumbbell nebula
See also: