Messier 76, also known as the Little Dumbbell Nebula, is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Perseus. It was discovered by the French astronomer Pierre Méchain in 1780 and later included in the Messier catalog. This nebula is approximately 2,500 light-years away from Earth and has a diameter of about 1.5 light-years. Its unique shape resembles a small dumbbell, with two lobes of gas and dust surrounding a central star. Messier 76 is a fascinating example of stellar evolution, showcasing the final stages of a star's life cycle.