M27 - Planetary Nebula in Vulpecula
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The Planet Mars as imaged by The Hubble Space Telescope M27 is located about 3° due north of Gamma Sagitta in the constellation Vulpecula. This large planetary nebula spans about 1/4° - roughly half the diameter of the full moon. M27 is believed to be about 815 light years away, making it one of the closer planetary nebulas. Astronomers estimate that around 48,000 years ago, the gaseous material which makes up the nebula was cast away from it's central star in several colossal events. The nebula is actually made up of two shells, each expanding at different rates.

 

Angular Size 15'
Brightness 7.6
Distance from Earth 815 ly

 

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