A

David

Darling

Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635)

Bubble Nebula

The Bubble Nebula. Image courtesy Richard Crisp.


The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) is the smallest of three bubbles surrounding the massive star BD +60° 2522 in the constellation Cassiopeia (RA 23h 20.7m Dec +61° 12'), and part of the gigantic bubble network S162, created with the help of other massive stars. As fast-moving gas spreads out from BD +60° 2522, it pushes surrounding sparse gas into a shell. The energetic starlight then ionizes the shell, causing it to glow. The nebula is about 6 light-years across and visible even with a small telescope.