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The Dumbbell Nebula
The Dumbbell Nebula was the first “planetary” nebula to be
discovered. Planetary nebulae—named for their planet-like
appearance in early, low-powered telescopes—are shells of
gas blown off by dying, Sun-like stars. These “bubbles” are
expanding outward into space, and will eventually
dissipate. The Dumbbell, 1250 light years away, is about
1.5 light years in diameter, and was cast off by its dying
parent star probably between 3000 and 4000 years ago.
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