The Dumbbell Nebula, M27

 Link to Hong Kong Space Museum 

The Dumbbell Nebula, also known as M27, is a planetary nebula located in the constellation of Vulpecula, and is about 1,200 light years away from the Earth. The nebula got its name from its resemblance to a dumbbell. When a sun-like star evolves to its final stage, it releases its gaseous shell into the space. This gas emits vivid colours when excited by the radiation of the star.