3rd Object from "Supernova Week" - M27

Messier 27 - The Dumbbell Nebula

The week of 05/21/2023 was a fantastic week for imaging. Not only did I capture multiple nights SN 2023ixf in M101 (click here) and The Iris Nebula (click here), I was also able to capture two other targets. On the night of 05/24/2023 (actually the morning of 05/25/2023) I imaged Messier 27, The Dumbbell Nebula after losing M101 to a tree somewhere around 1:30 AM. Sky conditions were very good, so I slewed to M27 and imaged until the end of Astronomical Dark (2:04 AM to 3:35 AM). 

An image of M27 captured on 05/25/2023. This target is quite small for my imaging setup, so the image is cropped in significantly. 

I'm pretty happy with the way this turned out. After watching RC-Astro's Russ Croman on The Astro Imaging Channel (TAIC), I used his MTF Analyzer to analyze my setup. According to the tool, I'm slightly under-sampled and would benefit from using 2X drizzle integration. I tried it and I think it was worthwhile. M27 is a very small target for my set up (480 mm refractor with APS-C sensor). Therefore, the image presented here has been cropped in significantly. 

What is it?

Messier 27 is a planetary located in the constellation Vulpecula. M27 is the first Planetary Nebula ever discovered. A Planetary Nebula is an emission nebula formed from an expanding shell of ionized gas ejected by stars (like our Sun) too small to go supernova when they (stars) are late in their lives. A stellar remnant known as a White Dwarf is left behind and is responsible for ionizing the gas. M27 is a popular target for amateur astronomers as it is visible in binoculars and telescopes. 

How big is it?

It has an angular size of 8 x5.7 arcminutes on the night sky and has a diameter of about 3.2 light-years. 

How far is it?

The M27 is within the Milky Way at about 430 parsecs (pc) or 1,400 light-years (ly) from Earth.

How to find it?

M27 is a popular target for visual astronomers. A nebula filter (like a UHC or OIII filter) can really help make it pop visually. M27 is located within the Summer Triangle. 

Refer to the finder chart below. 

1. Find the Summer Triangle (Vega, Deneb, & Altair).
2. Locate the star Albireo (the head of Cygnus the Swan).
3. Rough location method:
1. Using the finder Chart below, M27 is one vertex of an imaginary triangle with the other vertices Altair & Albireo. 
4. If you have dark enough skies to see the constellations Sagitta (actually looks like an arrow) and Vulpecula, you can use the finder chart below to refine the position of M27.

Finder chart for M27.

Image Details:

Capture Date:05/24/2023

Location: Eden, NY

Telescope: Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Series Air-Spaced Triplet Refractor

Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

Filter: None

Mount: Sky-Watcher USA EQ6-R Pro

Exposure: 60 exposures at 60 sec / Gain 100 / Offset 50 / -10°C each for a total exposure of 1 hour.

Software: NINA, SharpCap Pro, PHD2, and PixInsight

Clear Skies!

Ernie