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> Dumbell planetary nebula in Vulpecula

Dumbell planetary nebula in Vulpecula

author: B.A.Tafreshi/Novapix

reference: a-nep68-53023

Image Size 300 DPI: 42 * 29 cm

The little green halo in the lower left of this image is known as the Dumbbell Nebula or M27. It is a planetary nebula; the last stage in the life of sun-like stars. They die with ejecting their outer layers to space. Our own will die in this form about 5 billion years from now. Dumbbell nebula is located in the constellation Vulpecula, against the rich background of the Milky Way, and at a distance of about 1360 light years. On the right side of the image is the small constellation Sagitta. Note the globular star cluster M71 like a diffuse star in Sagitta. It's in fact a giant collection of over 100,000 stars.

Keywords for this photo:

2011 - ASTRONOMY - DUMBBELL - DWARF - DYING STAR - EVOLUTION - M27 - NEBULA - NGC 6853 - PLANETARY NEBULA - SAGITTA - STAR - VULPECULA - WHITE DWARF -