Dumbbell Nebula

space · nebula · glowing gas · astronomy

Shaped like a dumbbell. This nebula got its name because it looks like the weights used in exercise, with a narrow middle and puffy ends on both sides.

First of its kind. In 1764, astronomer Charles Messier discovered the Dumbbell Nebula, and it was the first planetary nebula that anyone had ever found.

Made of glowing gas. The nebula is a cloud of hot, glowing gases that shine brightly enough to see through binoculars or a small telescope from Earth.

Far, far away. It sits about 1,360 light-years from Earth in the constellation Vulpecula, which means the light we see from it today started traveling toward us over 1,300 years ago.

Easy to spot. Amateur astronomers love observing the Dumbbell Nebula because it's bright enough and large enough to see clearly without a huge, expensive telescope.