2007-11-01, Hα
Image data
| Photographer: | Jürgen Stöger |
| Optics: | Intes Micro MN76 f/6 (main) Orion ED80 (guide) |
| Mount: | Fornax 51 |
| Cameras: | Atik 16HR (main) Starlight SXV-M7 (guide |
| Exposure: | Hα = 115 min. |
| Conditions: | about 4.5-5 mag |
| Moon: | 50 % illuminated fraction |
| Location: | Katzelsdorf |
| Date: | 1 November 2007 |
| Remarks: | image processing cooperation with Christof Angerer |
M 76 object information
RA: 01h42.4m
Dec: +51° 34.5′
Size: 2.7 x 1.8′
Brightness: 10.1 mag
Distance: 2500 light years
Dec: +51° 34.5′
Size: 2.7 x 1.8′
Brightness: 10.1 mag
Distance: 2500 light years
The Little Dumbbell Nebula, also known as Messier 76, NGC 650/651, is a planetary nebula in the constellation Perseus. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 and included in Charles Messier’s catalog of comet-like objects as number 76. It was first recognised as a planetary nebula in 1918 by the astronomer Heber Doust Curtis. However, there is some contention to this claim, as Isaac Roberts in 1891 did suggest that M76 might be similar to the Ring Nebula (M57), being instead as seen from the side view. The structure is now classed as a bipolar planetary nebula (BPNe).