Astronomy Picture of the Day . The Dumbbell Nebula in Hydrogen and Oxygen . ... 13.01.2003 . ... At that time, Charles Messier was compiling a list of "annoying" diffuse objects not to be confused with "interesting" comets. The 27th object on Messier's list , now known as M27 or the Dumbbell Nebula, is a planetary nebula, the type of nebula our Sun will produce when nuclear fusion stops in its core. ... Publications with keywords: M27 - dumbbell nebula . ... M27: The Dumbbell Nebula . ...