Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2024 October 30
A starfield is shown with a big light bubble in 
the center. A bright star is toward the upper right in
the translucent bubble. To some, the bubble may resemble
a skull.
Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

NGC 7635: The Bubble Nebula
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)
Tomorrow's picture: All Hallow's Eve


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