An interstellar cloud containing dust that shines by light reflected from a nearby star. A to F | G to L | M to R | S to Z
Dust and gas reflecting light from stars close by.
type of nebula that is cool and shines because the dust within scatters the light from nearby or embedded stars. Hence, the cloud is not self luminous. Spectra of reflection nebulae mimic the spectra of the nearby stars since the dust within scatters ("reflects") starlight, though the blue starlight is scattered more effectively than the redder colors.
a region of dusty gas surrounding a star where the dust reflects the starlight, making it visible to us
a visually non-luminous body because it does not generate its own visible light
This type of nebula is associated with hot, young stars, typically B2 or hotter. Dust in the cloud scatters light from the star so that it appears blueish to an observer. The classic example of a reflection nebula is that surrounding the Pleiades cluster.
A bright cloud of interstellar gas illuminated by scattered light from nearby stars. The Trifid nebula, M20, features reflection and emission components.
A type of nebula that shines by reflected light. Bright stars near reflection nebulae emit light into the region that is reflected by the large amount of dust there. The size of the dust grains causes blue light to be reflected more efficiently than red light, so these reflection nebulae frequently appear blue in color. Plural of nebula: nebulae.
A nebula that glows from the reflected light of nearby stars.
A nebula which is visible mainly due to the scatteringradiation (often blue light) from particles of gas and dust within the nebula itself.
a dust cloud reflecting starlight
A bright cloud of gas and dust that is visible because of the reflection of starlight by the dust.
A reflection nebula is a nebula that glows as the dust in it reflects the light of nearby stars. These nebulae are frequently bluish in color because blue light is more efficiently reflected than red light. A reflection nebula surrounds the Pleiades Star Cluster.
In astronomy, reflection nebulae are clouds of dust which are simply reflecting the light of a nearby star or stars. The nearby star or stars are not hot enough to cause ionization in the gas of the nebula like in emission nebulae but are bright enough to give sufficient scattering to make the dust visible. Thus, the frequency spectrum shown by reflection nebulae is similar to that of the illuminating stars.