Located in the constellation of Perseus is a
faint planetary nebula known as M76. This nebula is also known
as the Little Dumbbell Nebula. Other names that have been given
to this object include Cork Nebula, Butterfly Nebula, and
Barbell Nebula. At magnitude 10.1 it is one of the fainter of
the Messier objects. The appearance of this nebula is very
similar to that of M27, the Dumbbell Nebula. As with most
planetary nebulae, its distance it not very well known. Best
estimates put it at between 1,700 and 15,000 light-years from
Earth. It takes a good telescope to be able to see any amount of
detail on this object. It was originally thought to
consist of two separate emission nebulae and was thus given two
catalog numbers, NGC 650 and 651. Some consider this object to
be one of the faintest and hardest to see objects in Messier's
list.
