Overview

The Bubble Nebula, also known as NGC 7635, is a famous emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. This is technically my third project on this target, but the second one focused solely on it. I started the work to capture it about three weeks ago but had to pause with travel in between. This image was created using my narrowband filters for a total integration time of 24.5 hours across eightish nights.

The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) is a stunning emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia, approximately 7,100 light-years away. Its most distinctive feature is a spherical shell of gas and dust, about 7 light-years across, shaped by the intense stellar winds of a massive, hot O-type star at its center, known as BD+60°2522. The radiation and winds from this star have carved out the nebula’s iconic bubble-like structure, while the surrounding glowing hydrogen gas gives it a vibrant reddish hue. This dynamic interplay between the stellar wind and the denser surrounding interstellar medium creates a striking contrast of light and shadow within the nebula.

The Bubble Nebula is part of a larger complex of gas and dust that includes star-forming regions and bright star clusters. Its proximity to the nearby open cluster M52 makes it a favorite target for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers. Despite its striking appearance in long-exposure images, the nebula is relatively faint and requires a telescope and filters to observe visually. The Bubble Nebula serves as a fascinating example of how massive stars interact with their environment, providing valuable insights into the lifecycle of stars and the dynamics of interstellar material. Its beauty and scientific significance make it one of the most celebrated deep-sky objects in the northern sky.