M76 Little Dumbell

Object: M76
Constellation: Perseus
Distance: Undetermined, possibly around 3,000 to 8,200 light years

Magnitude: ~12.2
Commentary: M76 is very faint in the eyepiece, but exhibits well in digital astrophotography. Somewhat resembling M27, the Dumbell Nebula, the name Little Dumbell has stuck as its primary moniker. The gas and dust surrounding a central star, which is responsible for the outflows, was probably ejected by that star around 10-12 thousand years ago when in its red giant phase.

Date Imaged: November 2007
Location: Ft. Davis, TX
Exposure Details: LRGB: 300:120:120:120 Luminanace unbinned, RGB bin 2

Processing: Processed using CCDSoft, MaxIm DL, Registar, and Photoshop CS3

Optics: 12.5" RCOS Truss
Focal Length: 2808mm @ f9
Mount: Paramount ME
Camera: STL6303E
Focuser: RCOS
Guiding: OAG with guide camera
Filters: Tru-Balance LRGB 2"