This is a color composite image made by Karen Gloria at
Hopkins Observatory using a 6-inch refractor and a 512x512
element CCD detector.  M27 is also known as the Dumbell 
Nebula.  This is a planetary nebula (see also the Planetary
Nebula page on this server).  It is relatively small, measuring
approximately 8x4 arcminutes.  Overall, the surface brightness
of the extended ionized gas emission is one of the highest for
any PN and therefore this object is easily seen through even
small telescopes (including most finders).