M27 The Dumbbell

M27 Dumbbell nebula is a bright nebula of the planetary nebula type in the constellation Vulpecula. It is one of the first planetary nebulae to be discovered, by Charles Messier in 1764 and is called Dumbbell nebula because of its shape, resembling a dumbbell with two bright lobes and a narrower waist. The nebula is the result of an old star that has released its outer layers in a glowing display of colour. The nebula is about 1300 light-years away from Earth and is six light-years in diameter.