object type French astronomer Charles Messier spotted it in 1764. Spotted by Charles Messier in 1764, M27 was the first planetary nebula ever discovered. The term “planetary nebula” is a bit of a misnomer based on the nebula's round, planet-like appearance when viewed through smaller telescopes.

The Dumbbell Nebula (M27, NGC 6853) is a planetary nebula in Vulpecula, whose central blue star (only just visible in this picture) continues to ionize the surrounding gas.

The Hubble images of the Dumbbell show many knots, but their shapes vary. Some look like fingers pointing at the central star, located just off the upper left of the image; others are isolated clouds, with or without tails.

The Dumbbell Nebula was the first planetary nebula to be discovered by Charles Messier in 1764. Messier 27 is easily visible through a pair of binoculars or a small telescope, even from a light-polluted location.