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Credit & Copyright: Chad Leader
Explanation:
What created this huge space bubble?
Blown by the wind from a star, this
tantalizing, head-like
apparition is cataloged as NGC 7635, but known simply
as the Bubble Nebula.
The featured striking view utilizes a long exposure
to reveal the intricate details of
this cosmic bubble and its environment.
Although it looks delicate, the 10
light-year
diameter bubble offers evidence of
violent processes at work.
Seen here above and right of
the Bubble's center, a bright
hot star is embedded in the nebula's
reflecting dust.
A fierce
stellar wind
and intense radiation from the
star,
which likely has a mass 10 to 20 times that of the
Sun,
has blasted out the
structure of glowing gas
against denser material in a surrounding
molecular cloud.
The intriguing
Bubble Nebula lies a mere 11,000
light-years
away toward the
boastful constellation
Cassiopeia.
Your Sky Surprise:
What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (post 1995)
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NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Bubble nebula
Publications with words: Bubble nebula
See also: