The Bubble Nebula

September 11, 2024

The Bubble Nebula, also known as NGC 7635, is a stunning emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia. This celestial wonder lies approximately 7,100 light-years from Earth and spans about 7 light-years across. The Bubble Nebula is formed by the powerful stellar winds from a massive, hot star known as BD+60°2522. This star is about 45 times more massive than our Sun and emits intense radiation and stellar winds that shape the surrounding gas and dust into a bubble-like structure. The nebula’s shell is created as these winds sweep up the cold interstellar gas, forming a glowing outer edge much like a snowplow pushing snow.

The Hubble Space Telescope has provided some of the most detailed and breathtaking images of the Bubble Nebula. In 2016, to celebrate its 26th anniversary, Hubble captured an image of the nebula using its Wide Field Camera 3. This image showcases the intricate details of the nebula, including the dense pillars of cool hydrogen gas and the varying colors emitted by different gases. The Hubble images reveal the dynamic interaction between the young star and its environment. The star’s intense ultraviolet radiation illuminates the surrounding gas, causing it to glow in vibrant colors. Oxygen emits blue light near the star, while the cooler pillars of hydrogen and nitrogen appear yellow.

The Bubble Nebula is not just a beautiful sight; it also offers insights into the life cycle of massive stars. The central star, BD+60°2522, is relatively young at about 4 million years old. However, it is expected to end its life in a dramatic supernova explosion within the next 10 to 20 million years. This event will further enrich the surrounding interstellar medium with heavy elements, contributing to the ongoing cycle of star formation.

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