Featured Photograph
Dumbbell Nebula
© 2026 Lou Klejbuk
The Dumbbell Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula, only 1,200 light years away. Planetary nebulae were once thought to represent areas of planet creation. However, that is not true, and we understand these nebulae to be old dying stars shedding outer layers of gas. M27 hosts many knots of gas and dust (orange). These dense knots of gas and dust form when the stellar winds are not powerful enough to blow away a larger clump of matter but are able to blow away smaller particles, creating a trail behind the clump.
This image was created using 223 30-sec RGB images through an Optolong L-eNhance light pollution filter that transmits key nebulous wavelengths: Hydrogen-Alpha, Hydrogen-Beta and Oxygen-III. Data were captured using an Astro-Tech 152mm EDT Triplet APO with a .72x reducer/field flattener (f/6.4). PixInsight processing included flat and dark calibration frames.
Lou Klejbuk
The featured photograph is any astronomical photograph provided by one of our members. If you are a member and have a photograph you would like to submit, please refer to the Featured Photo Guidelines for more information. The submission deadline is the 15th of each month.
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Presenter: Stephen Levine, Ph.D.
Title: Counting Stars in an Asymmetric Galaxy
Abstract:
The Magellanic Clouds are among the closest to us of the many
satellite galaxies of our own Milky Way and they are still apparently
coherent bound assemblages of stars and gas. This talk will examine
the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) in more detail and start from two
questions: (a) How is it possible that the LMC has not been pulled
apart? and (b) Can we learn more about its large-scale structure that
can give us more insight into how such asymmetric structures in a
galaxy can survive? The answer here starts with counting the stars.
Bio:
Dr. Stephen Levine is an Astronomer at Lowell Observatory and the
Lowell Discovery Telescope (LDT) Scientist. He joined Lowell to lead
the science commissioning of the 4.3-meter LDT and along the way has
led the observatory's Education and Technology departments and works
closely with the Archives department. As the LDT Scientist, he works
to optimize the use of the LDT, fostering collaboration between
scientists, engineers, and operations staff.
His own research focuses on large surveys to enable more research,
computer simulations of lopsided disk galaxies, and using stellar
occultations to learn about outer solar system objects and stars. He
also has an interest in film photography, and is leading a project to
digitize Lowell's collection of astronomical photographic images and
spectra dating back to the early 1900s. This will open the way for
integrating these data into modern astronomical research.
CAS Monthly Meetings and Astronomical Programs are held the
Saturday closest to the Full Moon at the Mars Hill Campus of
Lowell Observatory, Hendricks Center for Planetary Studies
Auditorium (6:45 pm - 8:00 pm), unless otherwise noted followed
by refreshments, and informal discussion. Meetings are open and free
to the public.
