Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]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.

                                2026 July 27
   [2]A starfield is shown with a big light bubble in the center. To some,
    the bubble may resemble a skull. Please see the explanation for more
                            detailed information.

                         NGC 7635: The Bubble Nebula
                Image Credit & Copyright: [3]Paweł Piechnik

   Explanation: What created this huge space bubble? Blown by the wind
   from a star, this [4]tantalizing, head-like apparition is cataloged as
   NGC 7635, but known simply as the [5]Bubble Nebula. Taken from
   [6]Krakow, [7]Poland, the [8]featured view utilizes a long exposure to
   reveal the intricate details of [9]this cosmic bubble and its
   environment. Although it looks delicate, the 10 [10]light-year diameter
   bubble offers evidence of [11]violent processes at work. Seen here
   right of [12]the Bubble's center, a bright hot star is embedded in the
   nebula's [13]reflecting dust. A fierce [14]stellar wind and intense
   radiation from the [15]star, which likely has a mass 10 to 20 times
   that of the [16]Sun, has blasted out the [17]structure of glowing gas
   against denser material in a surrounding [18]molecular cloud. The
   intriguing [19]Bubble Nebula lies a mere 11,000 [20]light-years away
   toward the [21]boastful constellation [22]Cassiopeia.

                   Tomorrow's picture: volcanic connection
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    Authors & editors: [34]Robert Nemiroff ([35]MTU) & [36]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([37]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [38]Specific rights apply.
            [39]NASA Web Privacy, [40]Accessibility, [41]Notices;
                A service of: [42]ASD at [43]NASA / [44]GSFC,
                         [45]NASA Science Activation
                           & [46]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2607/Bubble_Piechnik_1616.jpg
   3. https://app.astrobin.com/u/pawelp
   4. https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/tag/bubbles
   5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_Nebula
   6. https://youtu.be/2CHS7fdbX6o
   7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland
   8. https://www.flickr.com/photos/181668516@N04/54784480055/
   9. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap030617.html
  10. http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/cosmic_distance.html
  11. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260715.html
  12. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap170531.html
  13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflection_nebula
  14. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_wind
  15. https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/
  16. https://science.nasa.gov/sun/
  17. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1995A&A...295..509C/abstract
  18. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap230129.html
  19. https://science.nasa.gov/image-detail/37893980612-307324af83-o/
  20. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/light-year/
  21. https://media.istockphoto.com/id/159176199/photo/cat.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=U34AGa5EN0xuBbrzpSygVHcR7RHuwWAivyH7hpHw_m0=
  22. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassiopeia_(constellation)
  23. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260726.html
  24. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  25. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  26. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  27. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  28. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  29. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  30. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  31. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  32. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=260727
  33. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260728.html
  34. https://www.mtu.edu/physics/department/faculty/nemiroff/
  35. https://www.mtu.edu/physics/
  36. https://inspirehep.net/authors/1073087
  37. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  38. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  39. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  40. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  41. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  42. https://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/astrophysics/
  43. https://www.nasa.gov/
  44. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  45. https://science.nasa.gov/learn/about-science-activation/
  46. http://www.mtu.edu/