M27 THE DUMB-BELL NEBULA

 


Processing Data: Object Info:
Negatives - August 1998 The Dumb-Bell Nebula in Vulpecula shines at Mag. 8 in the constellation "Vulpecula". Although described as an easily discerned oval in large binoculars, I found it never to have had only an oval shape when I have observed it, it has always appeared with the classic "Dumb-Bell" lobes in any direct visible view I have taken, ranging from binoculars to smaller (90mm) telescopes to larger (5" refractor) scopes. It was the first classic planetary nebula that I observed and impressed me with the close name match shape. I consider it to be a high priority repeat observation object due to it's unique and intriguing appearance, always worth a look when positioned during an evenings visual observing session. 
Meade 5" ED Refractor F/9
Manual Guiding
Pentax K1000 Body
Fuji Super G Plus 400, Unhypered
2 x 30 Min. Exposures
Image Stacking in Picture Window
Digital Enhanced Curves and AV in Photoshop
Processing Info: Basic Anti-vignetting and Curving used to maximum extent. Neat Imaging smoothing, reprocessed core technique for background smoothing/darkening. 

 

Object Details Courtesy Burnham's Celestial Handbook, Robert Burnham, Jr.  (1978 Dover Publications)