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MESSIER OBJECT 27 - THE DUMBELL NEBULA Approximately 1,200 light years away in the constellation Vulpecula, this nebula is a favorite amongst astronomers. It's classification as a planetary nebula is something of a misnomer since this type of nebula has nothing to do with planets. The name arose from the astronomers of the late 19th century who had only recently discovered the planet, Uranus. In the telescopes of the time, these objects showed a rounded shape and a green hue similar to Uranus. A planetary nebula might be more properly called an emission nebula owing to the strong ultraviolet light originating from its central white dwarf star. This ultraviolet radiation is causing the gasses in the outer reaches of the nebula to fluoresce. It is thought that nearly 95% of all the stars in the universe (including our own sun) will become this type of nebula as they enter their later stages of life. L15/R10/G10/B10 no binning Imaged at Tres Placitas Observatory Santa Fe, NM June 24th, 2003
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