NGC 7635: The Bubble Nebula
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.