M27 lies about 1200 light-years from Earth. Its expansion rate indicates that the red giant that spawned it erupted between 3000 and 4000 years ago. The white dwarf remanant of the red giant lies at the center of the nebula. This image includes a great deal of H-alpha data that show some of the subtle detail inside the nebula, as well as an additional outer shell of nebulosity previously shed by the dying star that extends beyond the Dumbbell's familiar contours.

Exposures: Ha:L:R:G:B = 315:105:35:35:35 minutes = 8 hours, 45 minutes total exposure, completely unguided.