A nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space. Imagine a cosmic cloud, often shaped like a wispy, colorful swirl. These clouds are the birthplaces of stars and planets.
Types of Nebulae:
- Emission Nebulae: These nebulae glow brightly as the hydrogen gas within them is energized by nearby hot stars. The Orion Nebula is a famous example.
- Reflection Nebulae: These nebulae reflect the light of nearby stars. They often appear blue due to the scattering of light by dust particles.
- Dark Nebulae: These nebulae are dense clouds of dust and gas that block the light from stars behind them. They appear as dark patches in the sky.
- Planetary Nebulae: These are formed when a dying star sheds its outer layers. They often have a ring-like or spherical shape.
Nebulae as Star Nurseries: Nebulae are often called “stellar nurseries” because they are the birthplaces of stars. As the gas and dust within a nebula clump together, they form denser regions. These dense regions can eventually collapse under their own gravity, forming new stars. The remaining material may then form planets and other celestial bodies.