Dumbbell Nebula (M27)

The Dumbbell Nebula, classified, Messier 27, is another planetary nebula 1,360 light years away in the constellation Vulpecula.  This is a popular target for amateur astronomers since it is easily identified in most smaller telescopes and even binoculars in the summer skies directly above our heads in the mid latitudes.  The nebulosity, which is the visible part of Messier 27, was created from the central star visible in this image when the star expend the hydrogen fuel at its core (Jacobsen 2010-2013, http://www.astrophoto.net/nebula_page.php?photo_id=1)

M27
5min X 18
Camera: QHY8 F/7
Telescope: Celestron 11" Edge HD guided
Mount: Celestron CGE Pro
Location: Fort Davis, TX (Zodiac Ranch)
Dates: Early morning, August 2, 2013

NGC 7331

NGC 7331 is a spiral galaxy about 40 million light years away in the constellation Pegasus.  This galaxy has near the same size and shape as our own Milky Way Galaxy and is often called the Milky Way twin.  The interesting thing is how far away this galaxy is.  We are not seeing the galaxy as it appears today, we are seeing it as it existed 40 million years ago.  We are looking into 40 million years of history.  If someone was in NGC 7331 and looking at Earth through a telescope, then all they would see is dinosaurs.  The smaller galaxies behind NGC 7331 lie roughly 10 times farther away.

NGC 7331
10min X 11
Camera: QHY8 F/7
Telescope: Celestron 11" Edge HD guided
Mount: Celestron CGE Pro
Location: Fort Davis, TX (Zodiac Ranch)
Dates: Early morning, August 3, 2013

Ring Nebula (M57)

The Ring Nebula, designated Messier 57, is a planetary Nebula (a nebula are ejecta of dying stars as they turn from a giant into a white dwarf) in the constellation Lyra.  The outer layers of gas are from a dying star like our sun.  You can still see the dying star right in the middle as a tiny pin prick.  The Ring Nebula is about 1 light year across and about 2,000 light years away.

M57, Ring Nebula
5min X 17
Camera: QHY8 F/7
Telescope: Celestron 11" Edge HD guided
Mount: Celestron CGE Pro
Location: Fort Davis, TX
Dates: August 2, 2013