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Nebulae

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Mokshitha Reddy Yanamal
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29 views

Nebulae

Uploaded by

Mokshitha Reddy Yanamal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Nebulae

Intro
Nebulae, named after the Greek word for "cloud," are vast interstellar
clouds of gas and dust, often hundreds of light-years in diameter. These
captivating cosmic formations, visible in the night sky, vary in density and
composition. Some glow due to embedded hot stars, while others require
long exposures and filters for detection.

Types of Nebulae

Emission Nebula Reflection Nebula


Example: Orion Nebula Example: Iris Nebula

Planetary Nebula
Dark Nebula Dark Nebula
Example: Dumbbell Nebula Example: Horsehead Nebula
Example:
Supernova Remnant
Example: Veil Nebula
Emission Nebula

Nebulae, also known as "stellar nurseries," are vast hydrogen gas collections
forming stunning structures like the "Pillars of Creation." Emission Nebulae, like
the Orion Nebula, are active star-forming regions, observable with small
telescopes.
Orion Nebula
The Orion Nebula, M42, known as the cosmic fire of creation by the Maya,
illuminates the Orion constellation. This stellar nursery, 1,500 light-years away, is
culturally significant and visible to the naked eye. With an apparent magnitude of
4, it's the closest large star-forming region, providing a captivating view of stellar
birth, particularly in January, and offering an excellent spectacle through
telescopes.

Planetary Nebula
Early astronomers mistook planetary nebulae for planets due to their round
appearance. However, these cosmic formations, like the Ring, Dumbbell, and
Helix Nebulae, are created when dying stars shed outer layers, emitting ionizing
UV radiation.

Dumbbell Nebula
Discovered by Charles Messier in 1764, M27, or the Dumbbell Nebula, was the
first planetary nebula identified. Despite its planet-like appearance in small
telescopes, it is the result of an aging star shedding layers, depicted in Hubble's
image with blue for oxygen, green for hydrogen, and red for sulfur and nitrogen.
Hosting intricate knots of gas and dust, these formations, several times larger
than the distance from the sun to Pluto, contribute to the nebula's evolving
structure. Residing 1,200 light-years away in Vulpecula, M27 is visible with a small
telescope, particularly in September.
Supernova Remnant
Supernova remnants result from explosive star deaths, scattering materials across
space. These remnants form nebulae, with some classified as Supernova Remnant
Nebulae. The Veil Nebula, featuring Pickering's Triangle, exemplifies this
phenomenon.

Veil Nebula
The Veil Nebula, situated 2,100 light-years away in Cygnus, represents a small
fraction of the Cygnus Loop, a supernova remnant born from a massive star's
demise 10,000 years ago. With a mass 20 times that of the Sun, the star's
explosive end crafted the intricate patterns of ionized gas in the Veil Nebula,
showcasing the stunning aftermath of stellar violence and cosmic artistry.

Dark Nebula
A Dark Nebula, silhouetted by bright interstellar material, blocks light from stars,
creating shapes. Examples like the Coalsack and Horsehead Nebulae lack visible
radiation but emit infrared due to dust. The Trifid Nebula combines emission,
reflection, and dark nebulae, showcasing complexity in deep sky objects.

Horsehead Nebula
The Horsehead Nebula, or Barnard 33, and the Flame Nebula reside near the star
Alnitak in Orion's Belt. Known for its iconic shape, the Horsehead is a light-
absorbing nebula made of cold gas and dust, silhouetted against a brighter
nebula. Shaped by intense radiation, it is part of the extensive Orion Molecular
Cloud Complex, a stellar nursery containing young stars. Despite its popularity,
the Horsehead Nebula's faintness, distance of 1,500 light-years, and proximity to
a bright star make it challenging to observe through a telescope.
Reflection Nebula
A reflection nebula, devoid of inherent light, gleams by reflecting nearby stars'
light. Bright reflection nebulae mark active star-forming regions where dense gas
and dust shine in the glow of new stars.

Iris Nebula
Caldwell 4, the Iris Nebula or NGC 7023, stands out as a unique reflection nebula,
deriving its color from scattered light by a central star in the constellation
Cepheus, 1,400 light-years from Earth. Discovered by Sir William Herschel, its faint
glow, apparent magnitude 7, requires dark skies and a telescope for optimal
Northern Hemisphere viewing. Scientists are intrigued by the Iris Nebula's colors,
particularly the deep red filaments, offering insights into the chemical
composition influencing star formation.

Dumbbell Nebula

Orion Nebula
Veil Nebula

Horsehead Nebula

Iris Nebula

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