A nebula is a vast cloud of interstellar gas and dust. They are the birthplaces of stars and play a crucial role in the evolution of galaxies. Nebulae are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, along with traces of heavier elements produced by previous stars.
Nebulae can be classified into several categories based on their origin and appearance:
A glowing gas cloud, primarily ionized hydrogen, classified as an emission nebula.
Visible in the Orion constellation, easily spotted with binoculars near the star Alnitak.
A large diffuse nebula where many young stars are forming.
Orion constellation, visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy patch in Orion's Sword.
Contains the famous Pillars of Creation, an emission nebula with active star formation.
Ophiuchus constellation, visible with an amateur telescope.
Supernova remnant with a central pulsar emitting X-rays and radio waves.
Taurus constellation, best observed with a telescope.
A ring-shaped diffuse nebula rich in ionized hydrogen.
Monoceros constellation, observable with a medium telescope.
A dark nebula formed by dust blocking the light of background stars.
Orion constellation, near the star Alnitak.
A vast emission nebula with young massive stars and star clusters.
Carina constellation, observable with a telescope.
A planetary nebula with a complex, symmetrical structure, ejected by a dying star.
Draco constellation, best observed with a powerful telescope.
An emission nebula containing young stars and open clusters.
Sagittarius constellation, easily spotted with binoculars.
A combination of emission, reflection, and dark nebulae, famous for its dark bands.
Sagittarius constellation, visible with binoculars.
A dark nebula embedded in an emission complex, famous for its conical shape.
Monoceros constellation, observable with a telescope.
A nearby planetary nebula, eye-shaped, surrounding a central star.
Aquarius constellation, best observed with a telescope.
| Type | Main Composition | Temperature (K) | Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diffuse Nebula | Hydrogen, Helium | 5,000 to 10,000 | Visible emission, often red |
| Dark Nebula | Dense dust and gas | 10 to 50 | Absorption of light from background stars |
| Planetary Nebula | Ionized gas, carbon, oxygen | 8,000 to 20,000 | Light emitted by gas ionization |
| Supernova Remnant | Hot gas and dust | 106 and above | X-ray, visible, and radio radiation |
Composition of Interstellar Dust 
Heart and Soul Nebulae: Giant H II Regions 
Interstellar Clouds: The Dark Forests of the Galaxy 
The Black River: Dark Silhouette of the Milky Way 
The Tarantula Nebula: A Cosmic Jewel 
The Rosette Nebula: A Stellar Nursery in Full Bloom 
The nebula NGC 346 in the Toucan 
Nebula NGC 2170 seen by VISTA 
Helix Nebula, God's Eye 
Nebulae: Cosmic Clouds of Gas and Dust 
The Witch Head Nebula: Phantom of the Cosmos 
Diffuse, Dark, and Planetary Nebulae: A Physical Classification 
Carina: A Nebula More Active than the Horsehead and Orion Combined? 
Planetary nebulae 
The light and dark of nebulae 
Coatlicue: The Mother Nebula of the Sun and the Solar System