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M27 or the Dumbbell Nebula is almost cretainly one of the best known planetary nebulae. Planetary nebulae are the outer shells cast off by stars which have died as a nova, one of which will eventually be left by our own Sun. Most are fairly dim objects and not very exciting through a small telescope. There are a few notable exceptions, M27 being one. In the tiny constellation of Vulpecula, it's easy to find once you have first found Vulpecula. It lies about 1250 light years from us, but its characteristic apple core shape is easy to see.