Date: 8/17/2012
Target: M27 - The Dumbbell Nebula
Telescope:
Orion 8" f/4.9
Multi-Purpose Coma Corrector
JMI EV-1n Focuser
Resurfaced: Spectrum Coatings Max "R" (EAL)
Camera: Orion G3 Mono
Exposures 5 min each (R:G:B): 100:60:60
Framing: North is Up
Location: Mocksville, NC
Seeing: 4/5
Transparency: 3/5
Start Time: 10:00PM
End Time: 4:00AM
Captured with Nebulosity, stacked using DeepSkyStacker, processed in Photoshop.

The Dumbbell Nebula (also known as Messier 27, M 27, or NGC 6853) is a planetary nebula (PN) in the constellation Vulpecula, at a distance of about 1,360 light years.

This object was the first planetary nebula to be discovered; by Charles Messier in 1764. At its brightness of visual magnitude 7.5 and its diameter of about 8 arcminutes, it is easily visible in binoculars, and a popular observing target in amateur telescopes.