Dumbbell Nebula. 19th-century astronomical observation of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC 6853). North is at top. This planetary nebula consists of an e

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Dumbbell Nebula. 19th-century astronomical observation of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC 6853). North is at top. This planetary nebula consists of an expanding shell of material ejected from a star around 14,000 years ago. It is about 1360 light years away, in the constellation of Vulpecula. This 90-minute exposure was obtained on 27 August 1887, from the observatory in Maghull, Merseyside, UK. This observatory was operated by British amateur astronomer Isaac Roberts (1829-1904), one of the pioneers of the new techniques of astrophotography.

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Photo credit: © ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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