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M27 - also known as the Dumbbell Nebula is the gaseous remnants
of the outer layers of a star blown away as it convulsed and
collapsed at the end of its nuclear-burning life. This type
of nebula is quite common and is known as a "planetary nebula"
because it could quite easily be mistaken by an uninformed observer
as a planet due to its round shape and apparent size. The remaining
core of the original star shines in the center of the nebula
and is a planet-sized white dwarf which was probably similar
in size to our sun during its nuclear-burning lifetime. M27
lies at a distance of approximately 1200 light years from Earth. |
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