The Dumbbell Nebula (Messier 27, NGC 6853) is a bright planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula, about 1,360 light-years away. Discovered by Charles Messier in 1764, it was the first planetary nebula ever identified. With a magnitude of 7.5 and spanning 8 arcminutes, it is easily seen with binoculars and is a favorite for amateur astronomers.

The nebula has a dumbbell-like shape, viewed edge-on along its equator. Studies suggest it is between 9,800 and 14,600 years old, based on measurements of its expansion rate. Like the Helix and Eskimo nebulae, it contains dense knots of gas and dust with bright cusps caused by photoionization from its central star.

At its core lies a relatively large white dwarf, with a radius of about 0.055 solar radii and a mass of 0.56 solar masses. The Dumbbell Nebula remains both a popular observing target and an important object for studying the late stages of stellar evolution.