Emission nebula | |
---|---|
H II region | |
Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
Right ascension | 23h 20m 48.3s[1] |
Declination | +61° 12′ 06″[1] |
Distance | 7100[2] to 11000[3][4] ly (3,400 pc) |
Apparent magnitude (V) | ~10[5] |
Apparent dimensions (V) | 15′ × 8′[6] |
Constellation | Cassiopeia |
Physical characteristics | |
Radius | 3[2] to 5[7][4] ly |
Notable features | Shell around SAO 20575[1] |
Designations | Bubble Nebula[1] Sharpless 162 (Sh2-162) Caldwell 11 |
NGC 7635, also known as the Bubble Nebula, Sharpless 162, or Caldwell 11, is an H II region[1] emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. It lies close to the open cluster Messier 52. The "bubble" is created by the stellar wind from a massive hot, 8.7[1] magnitude young central star, SAO 20575 (BD+60°2522).[7] The nebula is near a giant molecular cloud which contains the expansion of the bubble nebula while itself being excited by the hot central star, causing it to glow.[7] It was discovered in November 1787 by William Herschel.[5] The star BD+60°2522 is thought to have a mass of about 44 M☉.