| Little Dumbbell Nebula |
The Little Dumbbell Nebula, M76, is just as large as its namesake the Dumbbell Nebula, M27, but resides
about five times farther away. Thus, this is a dim object requiring a large telescope to see clearly. Like other
planetary nebulae, it displays the last gasps of a dying star. All planetary nebula show unique patterns of gaseous
shells blown away from the central scar. This image shows a central bar of gas, surrounded by symmetrical
semicircular whisps of faint gas.
This image was obtained through my 12"LX200R telescope with an AP 0.67x reducer. I combined luminence
exposures totalling 85 minutes with red, green, and blue exposures of 30 minutes each, for a total imaging time
of about three hours. The luminance was unbinned and the color images were binned 2x2, with an ST10XME
camera.
about five times farther away. Thus, this is a dim object requiring a large telescope to see clearly. Like other
planetary nebulae, it displays the last gasps of a dying star. All planetary nebula show unique patterns of gaseous
shells blown away from the central scar. This image shows a central bar of gas, surrounded by symmetrical
semicircular whisps of faint gas.
This image was obtained through my 12"LX200R telescope with an AP 0.67x reducer. I combined luminence
exposures totalling 85 minutes with red, green, and blue exposures of 30 minutes each, for a total imaging time
of about three hours. The luminance was unbinned and the color images were binned 2x2, with an ST10XME
camera.
Music: Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone
