Diffuse nebula | |
---|---|
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
Subtype | emission or reflection |
Right ascension | 23h 13m 45.7s[2] |
Declination | +61° 28′ 21″[2] |
Distance | 9,100[3] ly (2,800 pc) |
Apparent dimensions (V) | 9′.00 × 6′.0 |
Constellation | Cepheus |
Notable features | Contains largest known protostar |
Designations | Dreyer's Object, Sharpless 158 |
NGC 7538, near the more famous Bubble Nebula, is located in the constellation Cepheus. It is located about 9,100 light-years from Earth. It is home to the biggest yet discovered protostar which is about 300 times the size of the Solar System.[4] It is located in the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way and is probably part of the Cassiopeia OB2 complex.[3] It is a region of active star formation including several luminous near-IR and far-IR sources.[3] Stars in NGC 7538 are mainly low-mass pre-main-sequence stars.[5]