Nebulae are immense interstellar clouds of dust, hydrogen, helium, and other ionized gases. They serve as "stellar nurseries" where new stars form through...
Nebulae are mainly composed of dust, hydrogen, helium, and other ionized gases, often spanning vast distances across space.
Some nebulae form from the gravitational collapse of existing gas and dust clouds (stellar nurseries), while others are the expelled remnants of dying stars, such as supernova explosions.
They are critical sites for star and planet formation, providing the raw materials. They also play a key role in the recycling of matter and chemical enrichment of galaxies.
Most nebulae require a telescope for observation. While bright emission and reflection nebulae are visible, dark nebulae absorb light and are seen as silhouettes against brighter backgrounds.
The largest known nebula is the Tarantula Nebula (30 Doradus), located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, spanning over 1,000 light-years.