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Writer's pictureTony Brown

Forever Blowing Bubbles

Nestled within the constellation Cassiopeia, the Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) captivates astronomers and stargazers alike with its ethereal beauty. Beyond its aesthetic allure, this cosmic phenomenon serves as a celestial laboratory, offering scientists a unique opportunity to unravel the intricacies of stellar winds, ionisation, and the interplay between massive stars and the surrounding interstellar medium.


The Bubble Nebula is a product of the dynamic interaction between a massive star, BD+60°2522, and the surrounding molecular cloud. The intense radiation emitted by the star strips away the outer layers of nearby gas, creating a blister-like structure. This stellar wind, composed of high-speed particles, inflates the bubble and sculpts the surrounding nebula. The result is a stunning spherical shell of ionised gas, illuminated by the ultraviolet radiation from the central star.


At the heart of the Bubble Nebula resides BD+60°2522, a massive O-type star. With a surface temperature exceeding 30,000 degrees Celsius, this stellar powerhouse emits an immense amount of energy, ionising the surrounding hydrogen gas and sculpting the nebular structure. The life cycle of such massive stars significantly influences their environment, and the Bubble Nebula provides a front-row seat to this cosmic drama.


The Bubble Nebula's vibrant colours are a result of ionised gases, primarily hydrogen. The intense ultraviolet radiation from BD+60°2522 strips electrons from hydrogen atoms, causing them to emit light when the electrons recombine with the ionised protons. The specific emission lines, such as H-alpha and O III, allow astronomers to analyse the physical conditions, temperature, and density of the nebula, providing valuable insights into the astrophysical processes at play.


Astronomers employ various instruments, including spectrographs and imaging devices, to study the Bubble Nebula in different wavelengths. By analysing the emission lines and mapping the nebula's structure, researchers can better understand the dynamics of massive star feedback, the impact of stellar winds on the interstellar medium, and the overall evolution of such astrophysical environments.


Cosmic Feedback and Star Formation:


The Bubble Nebula serves as a prime example of how massive stars influence their surroundings. The stellar winds, radiation pressure, and shockwaves generated by BD+60°2522 impact the neighboring molecular cloud, potentially triggering the formation of new stars. Studying these feedback mechanisms is essential for comprehending the broader processes that shape galaxies and their stellar populations.


I took this image over 3 nights at the end of November 2023. It includes around 15 hours of exposures through my Optolong L-Extreme filter and 60mm refractor.


The wider field also includes a number of other objects: -

  • NGC 7538 - This cosmic nursery is known for hosting a massive young star cluster and features a variety of astronomical objects, including emission nebulae and dense molecular clouds. The complex is situated approximately 9,100 light-years away from Earth

  • NGC 7654 / M52 - Also known as the "Salt and Pepper Cluster" or the "Little Dumbbell Nebula," is an open star cluster located in the constellation Andromeda. It is about 2,400 light-years away from Earth.

  • 4 Cassiopeiae (4 Cas) is a binary star system located in the constellation Cassiopeia. It consists of two main sequence stars, and it is approximately 54 light-years away from Earth. The primary star is a G-type yellow dwarf similar to our Sun, and the secondary star is a red dwarf.


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