Astrophotography by Salvatore Grasso

Camera: SBIG Stx-16803

Ha:R:G:B - 35 Hours

Telescope: RCOS 16” Ritchey Chretien

Data Acquired and Reduced by Ryan M. Hannahoe

Location: Mayhill, NM (Perez Observatory)

Data Processed by Salvatore Grasso

Catalogued as NGC 7635, The Bubble Nebula is located about 7,800 light years from Earth towards the constellation Cassiopeia. The Bubble Nebula is surrounded by a vast HII molecular cloud that glows red as hydrogen atoms are ionized by strong UV radiation from hot O and B type stars.   Young stars are forming in some of the globules visible in this image. These globules form as parts of the molecular cloud collapse and continue to contract under their own gravitational force. The Bubble Nebula can be detected with an 8-10” Telescope at dark skies, but ideally needs to be viewed with a 16” or larger telescope due to its low surface brightness.