Nebula : Study
NASA recently captivated space enthusiasts with a breathtaking image of the Red Spider Nebula.
- A nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space.
- Some nebulae (more than one nebula) come from the gas and dust thrown out by the explosion of a dying star, such as a Supernova.
- Other nebulae are regions where new stars are beginning to form. For this reason, some nebulae are called “star nurseries.”
- Nebulae are made of dust and gases—mostly hydrogen and helium.
- The dust and gases in a nebula are very spread out, but gravity can slowly begin to pull together clumps of dust and gas.
- As these clumps get bigger and bigger, their gravity gets stronger and stronger.
- Eventually, the clump of dust and gas gets so big that it collapses from its own gravity.
- The collapse causes the material at the center of the cloud to heat up-and this hot core is the beginning of a star.
- Nebulae exist in the space between the stars—also known as interstellar space.
- The closest known nebula to Earth is called the Helix Nebula. It is approximately 700 light-years away from Earth.
- Nebulas come in many shapes and sizes and can be further divided into several subcategories, including planetary nebulas, supernova remnants, dark nebulas, and emission nebulas.
- Red Spider Nebula is a planetary nebula located 3,000 light-years from Earth and can be found in the constellation of Sagittarius.
