Science
What is a nebula?
A nebula is a vast cloud of gas and dust in space, often the birthplace or graveyard of stars. Some glow as nurseries where new stars form; others are the colorful remains scattered by dying stars.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains a nebula.
Key things to understand
- 1It's an enormous cloud of gas and dust between the stars.
- 2Some are 'stellar nurseries' where gravity pulls gas into new stars.
- 3Others are the glowing remnants of dead or exploded stars.
- 4They can span many light-years across.
- 5Their colors come from different glowing gases.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a nebula made of?
- Mostly hydrogen and helium gas plus dust; it can glow, reflect starlight, or appear dark depending on its type.
- Are stars born in nebulae?
- Yes — in many nebulae, gravity pulls clumps of gas together until they grow dense and hot enough to ignite as new stars.
- Why are nebulae so colorful?
- Different gases glow in different colors when energized by nearby stars — hydrogen often red, oxygen blue-green.