What is a nebula in space?
Answers
Nebula
- Nebula is a cloud of dust particles and gases in space.
- The word nebula is derived from the Latin word for clouds.
- Nebulae are among the most beautiful objects in the universe.
- Stars are born in nebulae. The stars make them glow with bright colours.
- A nebula is composed of about 90% hydrogen, 10% helium, and 0.1% heavy elements.
- Nebulae are of following types:
1) Emission Nebula
An emission nebula is a nebula that glows and emits reddish light. The reddish light is emitted when electrons and protons combine to form hydrogen.
Ex- The Great Nebula in Orion
2) Reflection Nebula
A reflection nebula is a nebula that does not emit its own radiation. It reflects the light energy from a nearby star or group of stars.
Ex- The Trifid Nebula(M20) in the constellation Sagittarius
3) Dark Nebula
A dark nebula blocks all light from objects that are behind it. They are usually seen together with emission and reflection nebulae.
Ex- The Horsehead Nebula in Orion
4) Planetary Nebula
Planetary nebulae are nebulae that looks like planets because of their round shape. A planetary nebula surrounds a star.
Ex- The Ring Nebula(M57) in the constellation Lyra.
5) Supernova Remnant
When a supernova explodes, it blows a large amount of stellar matter out into space. Supernova remnant is the nebula formed from the remains of a supernova explosion. They are extremely important for understanding our galaxy.
Ex- The Crab Nebula in the constellation Taurus.
6) Stellar Nurseries
Stellar nurseries are nebulae where stars are formed.
Ex- The Eagle Nebula and the Orion Nebula