M76 (Little Dumbbell Nebula) Complete Guide — Planetary Nebula in Perseus

Overview

Little Dumbbell Nebula (M76) is a Planetary Nebula located in Perseus, cataloged as NGC 650. With an apparent magnitude of 10.1, it lies About 3,400 light-years from Earth. This Advanced-level object is best observed in the Autumn sky.

Planetary nebulae are formed when Sun-like stars shed their outer layers at the end of their lives. A white dwarf remains at the center, while the expelled gas glows beautifully.

Basic Data

Item	Data
Messier Number	M76
Catalog Number	NGC 650
Object Type	Planetary Nebula
Constellation	Perseus
Apparent Magnitude	10.1
Distance	About 3,400 light-years
Best Season	Autumn
Difficulty	Advanced
Required Equipment	Medium telescope

Physical Characteristics

This object is located About 3,400 light-years from Earth with an apparent magnitude of 10.1.

Observation Guide

How to Find

Little Dumbbell Nebula (M76) is located in the Perseus region. It transits around 20:00–22:00 during Autumn, making it well-positioned for observation. use the main stars of Perseus as guide stars and confirm the exact position with a star chart or app.

Observation Tips

For nebula observation, using UHC or OIII filters improves contrast and reveals more detailed structures. Observing from dark-sky locations is ideal.

Recommended Equipment

We recommend observing from dark skies with a telescope of 80mm aperture or more.

Astrophotography Tips

Little Dumbbell Nebula (M76) is a popular target for astrophotography. Tracking with an equatorial mount is essential. Long exposures (30 seconds to several minutes) at high ISO reveal details invisible to the naked eye. Stacking multiple images reduces noise and produces beautiful, detailed results.

Summary

M76 is a Planetary Nebula observable in Perseus, rated Advanced level. While it requires a somewhat larger telescope, it is a rewarding object to observe. Try observing it in the Autumn night sky!