This image from August of 2013 replaces one from 2 years ealier, adding an S-2 plane and more exposure time. Although it is fairly small, the Dumbbell is bright and easily seen through a small telescope. Located in the constellation Vulpecula, it is about 1,400 light years from Earth.

If you look at just the blue-green portion of the image you might see why it is called the “dumbbell”. That is how it appears through a telescope. Human vision shifts in color response with the brightness. Specifically, in dark conditions our eyes are much more sensitive to blue than red.

Scope: AP142 at f/7.5Mount: Orion Atlas/EQMOD
Camera: QSI 583wsg at –25C
Exposure: 10 x 900s H-alpha, 10 x 900s O-3, 6 x 1800s  (8 hr total)