The Dumbbell Nebula (also known as M 27) is a planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula, at a distance of about 1400 light-years. This object was the first planetary nebula to be discovered by Charles Messier in 1764. At its brightness of visual magnitude 7.5 and its diameter of about 8 arcminutes, it is easily visible in binoculars, and a popular observing target in amateur telescopes.