The Dumbbell Nebula (M27) is a planetary nebula in the constellation of Vulpecula, about 1,200 LY from Earth.  The
central star which generated this nebula was once a sun much like our own.  Approximately 3,500 yearts 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.



August 18, 2009
14" Meade LX200  f/6.3
Canon Digital Rebel 500D / Modified (Hutech)
80 Minute / 20x240s @ 800ASA
Orion StarShoot AutoGuider
Skyhawk Observatory, West Bend, WI
Rick Kazmierski