The Dumbbell Nebula (also known as Apple Core Nebula, Messier 27, or NGC 6853) is a planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula, at a distance of about 1,360 light-years. A planetary nebula, is a kind of emission nebula consisting of expanding, ionized gas ejected from old red giant stars late in their lives.

The nebula is approx 9,800 years old and is the second brightest planetary nebula in the sky. It takes light about 1300 years to reach us from M27, in colors emitted by hydrogen and oxygen.

Technical info:
TS 80mm f6 APO triplet refractor - Canon 40D - exposure 26x 240sec (1h 40min)