M76 Little Dumbell Nebula

DETAILS: Imaged with the LX200 10" and STV Digital Integrating Video Camera and Autoguider with FR-237 focal reducer at f3.75. Imaged in RGB using a Lumicon filter slide. Processed, aligned and color combined in MaxIm DL.

COMMENTARY: This planetary nebula, named after the larger, brighter Dumbell Nebula, is located in the Constellation Perseus at a distance of about 3,900 light-years. It is a different looking planetary with a 16th magnitude central star embedded in a rectangular pattern of nebulosity. Actually, the Little Dumbell is about five times more distant than M27, the Dumbell, and only appears to be smaller due to its increased distance.