M 27 (NGC 6853, PK 60-3.1) Planetary Nebula in Vulpecula
Located at: RA 19 hours 59 minutes 36 seconds, Dec +22 degrees 43 minutes 13 seconds
Size: 6.7'; Magnitude: 7.6 photographic; Class: 3+2
North is up

West to the right
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Telescope: |
Celestron 11 operating at f10 (approximately) |
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Camera: |
ST-8XME, self-guided, binned 1x1, temp -10c, camera control CCDOps 5.4 |
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Image: |
No filter, 30 minutes (6 x 5 minute subs), 07/23/2005 |
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Processing: |
CCDOps, MaxIm DL 4.1, Photoshop 7.0 |
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Location: |
Rolling Roof Observatory, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 (+34d 13m 29s -118h 52m 20s) |
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Notes: |
First attempt at imaging with the C11at f10. Needs more exposure, better focus and guiding (or seeing). From the NGC / IC Project: Contemporary Visual Observation(s) for NGC 6853 NGC 6853 = M27 = PN G060.8-03.6 = PK 60-3.1= Dumbbell Nebula 19 59 36.3 +22 43 16 V = 7.1; Size 480"x340" 18" (8/23/03): breathtaking view at 215x; with the fainter but larger outer lobes increasing the dimensions to nearly 7.5'x6' and the ends of the major axis seem to open up and bulge out. With careful viewing, ~10 superimposed stars can be counted including the easy mag 13.8 central star. 17.5" (6/15/91): very bright, very large, 7'x6', bright dumbbell lobes are oriented SSW-NNE. The SSW lobe is brighter with a bright outer rim. Large fainter sweeping side lobes fill in the dumbbell and reverse the major axis to WNW-ESE. The planetary has an irregular surface brightness with a darker center. At high power 5 or 6 stars are superimposed including the easy mag 13.8 central star. Overall, this is the most impressive planetary. 8": central star visible at 200x, fainter side lobes prominent. - by Steve Gottlieb |