When to photograph M 27 (Dumbbell Nebula)

When to photograph it

From 45° N the best months are August and September, with up to 6.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in August. It reaches 68° at its highest.

From 35° S the best months are May to September, with up to 2.3 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in August. It reaches 32° at its highest.

From 45° NFrom 35° SDark hours above 30°, on the 15th of each month

Framing

Its long axis is 7′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 2800 to 6400 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 4310 to 9850 mm.

Filters and the moon

Planetary nebulae are bright in OIII and H-alpha and small, so narrowband works and the moon matters less. Short subs help with the bright core. The dark sky calendar shows which nights this month are moon-free where you are.

Plan it for tonight

Dates and times depend on your exact location. The imaging planner shows M 27's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.

Nearby targets

NGC 6820 4.0° away
M 71 4.2° away
NGC 6882 4.7° away
M 56 12.2° away
NGC 6960 Western Veil (Witch's Broom) 13.0° away
NGC 6995 Eastern Veil (Bat Nebula) 15.4° away

Gear that suits M 27

M 27 is 6.7′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop. It shines in H-alpha and OIII, so a dual-band filter on a color camera cuts through light pollution and moonlight.

Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 25% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific

Celestron EdgeHD 8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 25% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific

Optolong L-Ultimate 3 nm 3 nm dual-band, Ha, OIII, for color cameras View at High Point Scientific

Antlia ALP-T 5 nm 5 nm dual-band, Ha, OIII, for color cameras View at High Point Scientific

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