Sharpless 162
 

Click photo to see a larger image.
 
Description: The central object in this image is aptly nicknamed 'The Bubble Nebula'. The hot, young central star (Wolf-Rayet type) is ejecting a stellar wind which has carved out a roughly spherical cavity in the surrounding ionized hydrogen. The Bubble contains several solar masses of ionized gas. The larger surrounding emission region is known as Sharpless 162.

Close-up views of The Bubble Nebula are available on this site in color and Ha.

 
Constellation: Cassiopeia
 
Distance: 12,000 light years
 
Date: 16,17 july 2006
 
Equipment: AP130 @ f/6, ST10XME, MI-250
 
Exposure: 4.25 hours 6nm Ha (Astrodon)