NGC 7635: The Bubble Nebula
Explanation:
What created this huge space bubble? A
massive star
that is not only bright and blue, but also emitting a fast
stellar wind of
ionized gas.
The
Bubble Nebula is actually the smallest
of three
bubbles surrounding massive star BD+602522,
and part of gigantic bubble network S162 created
with the help of other massive stars.
As fast moving gas expands off BD+602522,
it pushes surrounding sparse gas into a shell.
The energetic starlight then ionizes the shell,
causing it to glow.
The
Bubble Nebula, also known as NGC 7635,
is about 10 light-years across and visible with a
small telescope towards the constellation of
Cassiopeia.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
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NASA Official: Jay Norris.
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GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.