Discover the Dumbbell Nebula M27 named by its shape so you can print it and frame it at home or as a gift to a loved one! You can download the image in high definition in .jpg and .png format so that you can do with it what you want (frame, offer, make a postcard or greeting card).
 
It is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Little Fox. This is the first planetary nebula observed in the history of astronomy by Charles Messier in July 1764.
 
Like other planetary nebulae, unlike usual nebulae, it is made up of different successive layers which become visible in particular depending on the filters used. Indeed, in the color version, its name, the Dumbbell Nebula, is aptly named because of its shape. However, by using more restrictive filters, we are then able to bring out the cross which crosses it and the cloud of gas which escapes on the sides like a sort of halo.
 
A planetary nebula originates from a star at the end of its life which expels its material from its outer layers into space. Indeed, as the star uses its fuel, it loses mass and its gravitational attraction decreases, allowing part of its envelope to escape. A similar fate awaits our solar system since our sun will suffer the same fate although it will have a period of expansion before that. The dying star is located in the center and has a real luminosity 100 times greater than our solar star. However, we perceive radiation from only one third of our sun because it is emitted mainly in wavelengths outside the spectrum visible to our eyes.
 
The image shown was photographed in color without the use of filters. The halo is therefore not visible but this allows us to better see the interior of the nebula and its X-shaped structure around the pulsar.
 
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