This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: The Dumbbell Nebula

One of the sky’s finest planetary nebulae is on view right now.
By | Published: September 22, 2025 | Last updated on September 24, 2025

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!