| The Dumbbell Nebula (M27) is a planetary nebula in the constellation of Vulpecula, about 1200LY from Earth. The central star which generated this nebula was once a sun much like our own. Approximately 3,500 years ago it exhausted its nuclear fuel and in the process, shed it's outer gaseous layers into space. In the process, any close orbiting planets would have been vaporized. This same ending awaits our Sun some 5 billion years in the future. |
| Date: | July 11, 2007 |
| Optics: | WO ZS 105mm f/7 Apo Refractor - Baader IR Filter |
| Camera: | Canon Digital Rebel 300D / Modified (Hap Griffin) |
| Exposure: | 75 Minutes / 15x300s @ 800ASA |
| Guiding: | Manually guided on a 14" Meade LX200 |
| Location: | Skyhawk Observatory, West Bend, WI |
| Photo By: | Rick Kazmierski |
