Nebula
Little Dumbbell Nebula
Planetary nebula · M76 · NGC 650 +
Planetary nebula in Perseus
Photo: Vanderbei at English Wikipedia · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
The Little Dumbbell Nebula, also known as Messier 76, NGC 650/651, the Barbell Nebula, or the Cork Nebula, is a planetary nebula in the northern constellation of 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 classified as a planetary nebula in 1918 by the astronomer Heber Doust Curtis. However, others might have previously recognized it as a planetary nebula; for example, William Huggins found its spectrum indicated it was a nebula ; and Isaac Roberts in 1891 suggested that M76 might be similar to the Ring Nebula (M57), as seen instead from the side view.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~2,500 light-years
Apparent mag.
+10.1
Apparent size
2.7′ × 1.8′
Best seen with
Telescope
Catalogue
M76 · NGC 650 +
Did you know
- Listed as Messier 76 in the Messier catalogue, also known as NGC 650 +.
- Found in the constellation Perseus.
- Needs a telescope to see clearly.
