SO much of the universe is beyond the naked eye.
Reflection nebulae could have been yet another cosmic mystery, if it wasn’t for the neighbouring young stars that sets them apart.
What is a reflection nebula?
A reflection nebula is essentially a cloud of dust lit up by a bright, recently formed star.
According to Nasa, it is like “fog around a street lamp, a reflection nebula shines only because the light from an embedded source illuminates its dust.
“The nebula does not emit any visible light of its own.”
Sometimes when a star is so young, it is still surrounded by a cloud of material left over from its formation.
The star then shines on this debris to create a reflection nebula.
What is an example of a reflection nebula?
One of the most well known examples of a reflection nebula is the Witch Head (IC2118), about 900 light years from Earth.
The bright star Rigel, inside the Orion constellation, reflects like off nearby fine dust.
But another perpetual sight is the Ghost Nebula (IC 63), which is around 550 light years from the planet we call home.
The nebula is classified as both a reflection nebula, as it is reflecting the light of a nearby star — and as an emission nebula, as it releases radiation.
Both effects are caused by the gigantic star Gamma Cassiopeiae.
However, the Gamma Cassiopeiae’s radiation will slowly shrink the reflection nebula.
Why does a reflection nebula look blue?
A blue-ish tinge, which is commonly associated with reflection nebulae, occurs because the dust grains in space reflect blue light more efficiently than red.
Why can a reflection nebula be seen
Reflection nebulae can be seen because the young star that neighbours them is so bright.
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