M27, also designated NGC 6853, or more commonly called the "Dumbell Nebula," is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Vulpecula.  It lies at a distance of about 1,360 light-years from Earth, has a visual magnitude of 7.5, and it's diameter is approximately 8 arcminutes.  This object was the first planetary nebula discovered by Charles Messier in 1764.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbell_Nebula

ABOUT THE IMAGE

DATE/TIME:  June, 2008

CAMERA:  Meade DSI Pro II, monochrome.

TELESCOPE:  Celestron 235mm SCT @ F/10

EXPOSURES:  Ha=60, SII=60, OIII=60

EXPOSURE LENGTH:  60sec.

TOTAL EXPOSURE LENGTH:  3hrs.

CAPTURE SOFTWARE:  Autostar Suite

STACKING SOFTWARE:  Autostar Suite

PROCESSING:  Photoshop CS3