About this Object:  

One of the most spectacular planetary nebulas in the sky, M27, or the "Dumbbell Nebula," is quite often one of a beginning astronomer's first targets.  It's bright, but more than that, it has a high, uniform surface brightness that makes it observable in light holluted skies.  Like its nearby cousin, M57, the "Ring Nebula," M27 was formed by gases that have slowly shed from its dying central star.  But unlike the ring shape that characterizes M57, M27 takes on an oval, helical shape.  In actuality, the two objects are very much alike!  Earthly observers are seeing M27 from the side.  If we could see it from the top down, it would very much appear as a ring!