Messier 27 (M 27)

Introduction | Map | Sketch | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix My Own Photos

On this page I collect my observations of the planetary nebula M 27 (NGC 6853) in the constellation Vulpecula/Little Fox.

Introduction

The planetary nebula M 27 in the constellation Vulpecula/Little Fox is called Dumbbell Nebula because of its shape. According to Stoyan, it is considered as one of the most beautiful nebulae for telescope observers. Visually there was not much to see for me so far, except with the PS 72/432 in France under a darker sky (and in Betz with a bigger telescope). With the Explorer 150PDS I saw more or less a square with round corners; of course, did I not see the colors. The view in the StarTravel 120/600 was nearly quite as good. Photographically I was a bit more successful. In my electronic telescopes eVscope, eVscope 2, Vespera, and Vespera Pro, M 27 is one of the nicest sky objects.

M 27 (NGC 6853)
Size: 8' x 4' (Stoyan)
Distance: 1,200 light years (Stoyan)
Rating: ***** (Stoyan).

Map

M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula) in Vulpecula/Little Fox (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Sketch

The sketch by Michael Vlasov (DeepSkyWatch.com) provides a rough impression of what I might have observed in Summer/Autumn 2016: Sketch of M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula) by Michael Vlasov (Copyright © Michael Vlasov 2016)

Note: I only have the author's permission to link to the sketch.

My Best Own Photos

Atik Infinity & Explorer 150PDS (December 31, 2017)

M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula in Vulpecula), unprocessed		Ditto, post-processed		Ditto, post-processed (16 bits)

ZWO ASI224

M 27 - Sep 2, 2021, PS 72/432, 85frames, 5sec, gain300, processed		M 27 - Sep 3, 2021, C5, 60frames, 5sec, gain300, processed		M 27 - Sep 4, 2021, TLAPO1027, 96frames, 5sec, gain300, processed

eVscope

M 27 - Nov 2, 2020		M 27 - Nov 24, 2020		M 27 - Oct 7, 2021
M 27 - Nov 2, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Nov 24, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 7, 2021, photo on top processed

eVscope 2 (3)

M 27 - Aug 22, 2022		M 27 - Oct 22, 2022		M 27 - Aug 21, 2023, 5 min
M 27 - Aug 22, 2022, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 22, 2022, photo on top processed		M 27 - Aug 21, 2023, photo on top processed
M 27 - Sep 6, 2023, 5 min		M 27 - Oct 10, 2023, 26 min		M 27 - Oct 13, 2023, 11 min
M 27 - Sep 6, 2023, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 10, 2023, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 13, 2023, photo on top processed
M 27 - Dec 18, 2023 (7 min)		M 27 - Dec 18, 2023, photo left processed

Vespera

M 27, Jul 29, 2022 - original (29 frames = 290s)		M 27, Jul 31, 2022 - original (59 frames = 590s)
M 27, Aug 6, 2022 - original (23 frames = 230s)		M 27, Aug 12, 2022 - original (45 frames = 450s)
M 27, Aug 20, 2022 - original (89 frames = 890s)		M 27, Aug 25, 2022 - original (90 frames = 890s)
M 27, Oct 22, 2022 - original (180 frames = 1800s)

Vespera Pro

M 27, Jun 25, 2024 - 2000 (120 frames = 1200s)		M 27, Jun 25, 2024 - 1800 (120 frames = 1200s), 1:1 section, processed

My Own Observations

Observations Summer to Autumn 2016

• Regrettably, I was just able to detect a glowing something, but nothing like a dumbbell. Location, observation date, and telescopes used are unknown/forgotten.

Observations September/October 2018

• September 17, 2018 (Sumène, France: PS 72/432, AZ Pronto Mount): M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula) seen quite well at different magnifications.
• October 5, 2018 (Betz, France: unknown telescope): M 27 seen large and beautifully.

Observations August 2019

• Aug 26, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Explorer 150PDS on Star Discovery GoTo Mount, StarSense): M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula) observed at different magnifications, seen well.
• Aug 30, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Explorer 150PDS on Star Discovery GoTo Mount, SynScan WLAN): M 27 beautifully seen with 10 mm and 7 mm eyepieces; more or less a square with round corners, the colors, of course , not seen...

Observations September/October 2019

• October 3, 2019 (Sumène, France: StarTravel 120/600, AZ Pronto Mount): M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula; 24, 10, 7, 4 mm) nice, large, maybe a little square-like...
• Oct 31, 2019 (Erkerode: Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto Mount): M 27 (32, 24, 16 mm) appears as a large, more round (perhaps a little elongated...) glow, seen well - located above Sagitta

Observations April to November 2020

• April 15, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed in the morning, but the sky was already too bright.
• June 11, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay
• June 12, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.), disturbed
• July 9, 2020 (Ulm: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• August 9, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• August 19, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• August 20, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• August 24, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• August 25, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• September 4, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.), not usable...
• September 12, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• September 15, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• October 10, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• October 19, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• October 27, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed, different background settings tested
• October 19, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• November 2, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• November 24, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)

Observations July to December 2021

• July 18, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation despite new collimation
• July 29, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, poor collimation
• August 11, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C5 on AZ-GTi, C8 on Star Discovery): M 27 observed; roundish, somewhat structured nebula spot
• August 13, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C5 on AZ Pronto): M 27 observed; found by chance while passing the Milky Way; roundish, somewhat structured nebula spot; observed at different magnifications (32, 24, 16 mm)
• August 14, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C8 on Star Discovery): M 27 observed; very "fuzzy"
• August 25, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing; clouds...
• September 2, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ-GTi mount, ASI224): M 27 photographed
• September 3, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C5 on AZ-GTi mount, ASI224): M 27 photographed
• September 4, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TLAPO1027 on Star Discovery mount, ASI224 ): M 27 photographed
• September 8, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing
• October 7, 2021 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing
• October 9, 2021 (Erkerode: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing, somewhat fuzzy
• October 16, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing; more than half moon
• October 19, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.), new image size and processing; nearly full moon
• December 5, 2021 (Erkerode: eVscope2): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• December 10, 2021 (Erkerode: eVscope2): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.)
• December 20, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope and eVscope2): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.) for comparison of eVscope with eVscope 2
• December 21, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope and eVscope2): M 27 photographed (n.o., r.f.) for comparison of eVscope with eVscope 2

Observations January 2022

• January 6, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 27 photographed, clouds coming

Observations July to October 2022

• July 29, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 27 photographed
• July 31, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 27 photographed
• August 6, 2022 (Erkerode: Vespera): M 27 photographed
• August 12, 2022 (Erkerode: Vespera): M 27 photographed
• August 15, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 27 photographed
• August 20, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 27 photographed
• August 22, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope 2): M 27 photographed
• August 25, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 27 photographed
• August 28, 2022 (Sumène/France: Vespera): M 27 photographed
• September 30, 2022 (Erkerode: Vespera): M 27 photographed
• October 22, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope 2, Vespera): M 27 photographed

Observations August to December 2023

• August 21, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 27 photographed (5 min); new image processing (DDT)
• September 6, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 27 photographed (5 min); new image processing (DDT)
• October 10, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 27 photographed (26 min); new image processing (DDT; app version 2.5)
• October 13, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 27 photographed (11 min); new image processing (DDT; app version 2.5)
• December 18, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 27 photographed (7 min); new image processing (DDT; app version 2.5)

Observations June 2024

• June 25, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 27 photographed (20 min)

References

• Messier Catalogue - Messier 27: messier.seds.org/m/m027.html
• Messier 27 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_27

On this Site

• Sky-Watcher Heritage P130 Information (5" Dobson)
• Sky-Watcher Heritage 100P Information (4" Dobson)
• Sky-Watcher Explorer 150PDS Information (6" Newton)
• GSO GSD 680 Information (8" Dobson)
• Sky-Watcher Skymax-102 OTA Information (4" Maksutov-Cassegrain)
• Omegon Photography Scope 72/432 ED OTA Information (2.8" Refractor)
• Sky-Watcher StarTravel 120/600 OTA Information (4.7" Refractor, Borrowed)
• Sky-Watcher Skymax-127 OTA Information (5" Maksutov-Cassegrain)
• Celestron C5 OTA - Informationen (5" Schmidt-Cassegrain)
• Celestron C8 OTA - Informationen (8" Schmidt-Cassegrain)
• Unistellar eVscope Information
• Unistellar eVscope 2 Information
• Vaonis Vespera - Information
• Vaonis Vespera Pro - Information
• ZWO ASI224 Color Camera - Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ Pronto Mount Information
• Sky-Watcher Star Discovery AZ GoTo Mount Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi AZ GoTo Mount Information

Appendix: My Own Photos

Atik Infinity & Heritage 100P (December 7, 2017)

With Barlow Lens (2 x)

M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula in Vulpecula), unprocessed		Ditto, post-processed		Ditto, more "aggressively" post-processed

With Focal Extender (2 x)

M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula in Vulpecula), unprocessed		Ditto, post-processed		Ditto, more "aggressively" post-processed

Atik Infinity & Explorer 150PDS (December 31, 2017)

M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula in Vulpecula), unprocessed		Ditto, post-processed		Ditto, post-processed (16 bits)
M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula in Vulpecula), unprocessed		Ditto, post-processed		Ditto, post-processed (16 bits)

ZWO ASI224

M 27 - Sep 2, 2021, PS 72/432, 85frames, 5sec, gain300, processed		M 27 - Sep 3, 2021, C5, 60frames, 5sec, gain300		M 27 - Sep 3, 2021, C5, 60frames, 5sec, gain300, processed
M 27 - Sep 4, 2021, TLAPO1027, 96frames, 5sec, gain300		M 27 - Sep 4, 2021, TLAPO1027, 96frames, 5sec, gain300, processed

eVscope

M 27 - Apr 15, 2020, already too bright		M 27 - Apr 15, 2020, already too bright
M 27 - Apr 15, 2020, photo above processed		M 27 - Apr 15, 2020, photo above processed
M 27 - Jun 11, 2020		M 27 - Jun 11, 2020, disturbed		M 27 - Jul 9, 2020
M 27 - Jun 11, 2020, photo above processed		M 27 - Jun 12, 2020, photo above processed		M 27 - Jul 9, 2020, photo above processed
M 27 - Aug 9, 2020		M 27 - Aug 19, 2020		M 27 - Aug 20, 2020
M 27 - Aug 9, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Aug 19, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Aug 20, 2020, photo on top processed
M 27 - Aug 20, 2020		M 27 - Aug 24, 2020		M 27 - Aug 24, 2020
M 27 - Aug 20, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Aug 24, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Aug 24, 2020, photo on top processed
M 27 - Aug 25, 2020		M 27 - Sep 9, 2020		M 27 - Sep 9, 2020
M 27 - Aug 25, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Sep 9, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Sep 9, 2020, photo on top processed
M 27 - Sep 12, 2020		M 27 - Sep 12, 2020		M 27 - Sep 15, 2020
M 27 - Sep 12, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Sep 12, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Sep 15, 2020, photo on top processed
M 27 - Oct 10, 2020		M 27 - Oct 10, 2020
M 27 - Oct 10, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 10, 2020, photo on top processed
M 27 - Oct 19, 2020		M 27 - Oct 19, 2020		M 27 - Oct 27, 2020
M 27 - Oct 19, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 19, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Ocz 27, 2020, photo on top processed
M 27 - Oct 27, 2020, background slider at the left end (brightest background)		M 27 - Oct 27, 2020, background slider between the left end and the middle position		M 27 - Oct 27, 2020, background slider in the middle (like automatic)
M 27 - Oct 27, 2020, background slider in the middle (like automatic)		M 27 - Oct 27, 2020, background slider between the middle position and the right end		M 27 - Oct 27, 2020, background slider at the right end (darkest backgound)
M 27 - Nov 2, 2020		M 27 - Nov 2, 2020, photo left processed
M 27 - Nov 24, 2020		M 27 - Nov 24, 2020		M 27 - Nov 24, 2020
M 27 - Nov 24, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Nov 24, 2020, photo on top processed		M 27 - Nov 24, 2020, photo on top processed
M 27 - Jul 18, 2021		M 27 - Jul 18, 2021		M 27 - Jul 29, 2021
M 27 - Jul 18, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Jul 18, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Jul 29, 2021, photo on top processed
M 27 - Aug 25, 2021, clouds		M 27 - Sep 8, 2021		M 27 - Oct 7, 2021
M 27 - Aug 25, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Sep 8, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 7, 2021, photo on top processed
M 27 - Oct 9, 2021, somewhat fuzzy		M 27 - Oct 16, 2021		M 27 - Oct 19, 2021
M 27 - Oct 9, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 16, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 19, 2021, photo on top processed
M 27 - Dec 20, 2021		M 27 - Dec 20, 2021		M 27 - Dec 21, 2021
M 27 - Dec 20, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Dec 20, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Dec 21, 2021, photo on top processed

eVscope 2

M 27 - Dec 5, 2021		M 27 - Dec 10, 2021		M 27 - Dec 10, 2021
M 27 - Dec 5, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Dec 10, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Dec 10, 2021, photo on top processed
M 27 - Dec 20, 2021		M 27 - Dec 20, 2021		M 27 - Dec 20, 2021
M 27 - Dec 20, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 -Dec 20, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Dec 20, 2021, photo on top processed
M 27 - Dec 21, 2021		M 27 - Dec 21, 2021		M 27 - Jan 6, 2022
M 27 - Dec 21, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Dec 21, 2021, photo on top processed		M 27 - Jan 6, 2022, photo on top processed

eVscope 2 (3)

M 27 - Aug 22, 2022		M 27 - Oct 22, 2022		M 27 - Aug 21, 2023, 5 min
M 27 - Aug 22, 2022, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 22, 2022, photo on top processed		M 27 - Aug 21, 2023, photo on top processed
M 27 - Sep 6, 2023, 5 min		M 27 - Oct 10, 2023, 26 min		M 27 - Oct 13, 2023, 11 min
M 27 - Sep 6, 2023, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 10, 2023, photo on top processed		M 27 - Oct 13, 2023, photo on top processed
M 27 - Dec 18, 2023 (7 min)		M 27 - Dec 18, 2023, photo left processed

Vespera

M 27, Jul 29, 2022 - original (29 frames = 290s)		M 27, Jul 31, 2022 - original (59 frames = 590s)
M 27, Aug 6, 2022 - original (23 frames = 230s)		M 27, Aug 12, 2022 - original (45 frames = 450s)
M 27, Aug 15, 2022 - original (20 frames = 200s)		M 27, Aug 20, 2022 - original (90 frames = 900s)
M 27, Aug 25, 2022 - original (90 frames = 890s)		M 27, Aug 28, 2022 - original (90 frames = 890s)
M 27, Aug 28, 2022 - original (90 frames = 890s)		M 27, Sep 30, 2022 - original (33 frames = 330s)
M 27, Oct 22, 2022 - original (180 frames = 1800s)

Vespera Pro

M 27, Jun 25, 2024 - 2000 (120 frames = 1200s)		M 27, Jun 25, 2024 - 1800 (120 frames = 1200s), 1:1 section, processed