This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: The Dumbbell Nebula

*The Dumbbell Nebula (M27) is a planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula the Fox. Credit: Bob Fera

Key Takeaways:

• Astronomy magazine's Editor Emeritus, Dave Eicher, encourages viewers to observe Messier object 27 (M27).
• M27, commonly known as the Dumbbell Nebula, is the subject of the presented astronomical observation.
• The nebula is recommended for viewing using a telescope.
• Locating M27 requires consulting a star chart to find its position within the constellation Vulpecula.

Key takeaways sponsored by The Space Store

In this episode, Astronomy magazine Editor Emeritus Dave Eicher invites you to head out in the evening and point a telescope at one of the sky’s finest planetary nebulae. This one’s number 27 on Charles Messier’s famous list, but it’s usually called the Dumbbell Nebula because of it characteristic shape. Use a star chart to locate the small constellation Vulpecula the Fox and target M27. Good luck!