The Dumbbell Nebula is NASA’s New Picture of the Day

If you somehow discover a unique method of traveling over 1,300 light-years away from Earth, well, first of all, congrats! Second, please feel free to share the method with the world in the comment section! Don’t be selfish, as there are plenty of people out there who want to run away from this planet.

Jokes aside, for now! At 1,360 light-years away from Earth, to be more precise, the so-called Dumbbell Nebula is located. Also known as Messier 27 or simply M27, the nebula stretches across the distance of “only” 2, 5 light-years, and it has a white dwarf at its core.

Now, perhaps you’re wondering why the Dumbbell Nebula is called that way. We’ve asked that question ourselves, so welcome to the club! Maybe the new “Picture of the Day” from NASA, which has the nebula in question under the spotlight, will give you the answer:

NASA didn’t hesitate to explain what’s the deal with the nebula:

Is this what will become of our Sun? Quite possibly. The first hint of our Sun’s future was discovered inadvertently in 1764. At that time, Charles Messier was compiling a list of diffuse objects not to be confused with comets. The 27th object on Messier’s list, now known as M27 or the Dumbbell Nebula, is a planetary nebula, one of the brightest planetary nebulae on the sky and visible with binoculars toward the constellation of the Fox (Vulpecula). It takes light about 1000 years to reach us from M27, featured here in colors emitted by sulfur (red), hydrogen (green) and oxygen (blue).

The Dumbbell Nebula was born from the remnants of a dying star. The nebula is crafted from the star’s outer layers, gracefully cast away into the void of space. From this radiant center emanates an outpouring of intense ultraviolet radiation, a celestial symphony that sets the surrounding gas ablaze with resplendent hues, painting the cosmic canvas with a mesmerizing display of colors that captivates all who gaze upon it.