NGC 7635, also known as the "Bubble Nebula," is a captivating celestial object located in the constellation Cassiopeia. This emission nebula region is characterized by its distinctive bubble-like structure, created by the interaction of stellar winds and the surrounding interstellar medium.
NGC 7635 is situated near the open star cluster M52. It was discovered in 1787 by the German-British astronomer Sir Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel.
The "Bubble Nebula" gets its name from the large, hollow bubble generated by a massive, hot central star source. The central star, a hot O-type star named BD+60°2522, is responsible for the ionizing radiation illuminating the surrounding gas nebula. The central star BD+60°2522 is a Wolf-Rayet star, known for its intense stellar wind and high temperatures. The bubble forms due to the strong stellar wind and intense radiation from the central star, compressing and ionizing the surrounding interstellar gas. This leads to the formation of the striking structure we observe as the Bubble Nebula.
In the NHO Hubble Image, the resulting colours also show the bubble in blue, and the Dense pillars (“fingers”) of cool hydrogen gas laced with dust in yellow, as it is the combined light from hydrogen and Nitrogen.
“The pillars are similar to the iconic columns in the "Pillars of Creation" in the Eagle Nebula. As seen with the structures in the Eagle Nebula, the Bubble Nebula pillars are being illuminated by the strong ultraviolet radiation from the brilliant star inside the bubble.” (
https://hubblesite.org/contents/media/images/2016/13/3725-Image.html)
This rendition is based on a HSO combination with further colour modification. RGB stars where added at the end of the processing.
This is a quite hefty crop but drizzle integrated for higher resolution.
CS
Robert
Sources:
SIMBAD Astronomical Database
APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day)
ESA/Hubble information on NGC 7635
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