Internet Encyclopedia of Science
NEBULAE & STAR CLUSTERS
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

                   • HOME
• ABOUT
• CATEGORIES
• USE OF TEXT AND IMAGES
• NEWSLETTER

  



nebula


emission nebula IC 1396
The emission nebula known as IC 1396
A nebula is a cloud of gas and dust in space. There are three general types: emission nebulae, which shine by their own light, reflection nebulae, which reflect light from nearby stars, and dark nebulae, which absorb light and appear dark against a brighter background.

When cloudlike material in space is patchy, or of a form that is difficult to categorize as a particular type of nebula, is referred to as nebulosity.

Originally, the term "nebula" (a Latin word meaning "mist") was applied to a variety of extended objects in the sky, including what are now known to be external galaxies; for example, the Andromeda Galaxy used to be, and occasionally still is, called the Andromeda Nebula.


Related category

   • NEBULAE AND STAR CLUSTERS


Also on this site:

Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History




BACK TO TOP