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> The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635)

The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635)

author: Sebastian Voltmer/Novapix

reference: a-neb76-35014

Image Size 300 DPI: 9 * 13 cm

The Bubble Nebula in Cassiopeia is one of the most dramatic emission nebulae visible in the northern hemisphere. Lying at a distance of about 7,000 light-years away and spanning six light-years in diameter, NGC 7635 is quite bright with a magnitude of 7.0. The star in the middle of the bubble, BD+602522, is responsible for this stunning site, for this very hot star emits so much UV radiation that it is able to also heat and excite the surrounding dust and gas, thus emitting its own radiation. It is a Wolf-Rayet star, a very luminous star and also very short-lived. This Wolf-Rayet star is 40 times as massive than our sun.

Keywords for this photo:

2009 - ASTRONOMY - BUBBLE NEBULA - CASSIOPEIA - EMISSION NEBULA - EVOLUTION - MASSIVE STAR - NEBULA - NGC 7635 - STAR - WOLF-RAYET -