Emission Nebulae

Emission nebulae are made up of ionized gases that emit light of various colors. The ionization is typically caused by the energetic radiation from nearby stars. One of the most famous emission nebulae is the Orion Nebula, located in the constellation of Orion.

Reflection Nebulae

Reflection nebulae are clouds of dust that simply reflect the light of nearby stars. This type of nebulae appears blue because the dust particles in the cloud scatter blue light more efficiently than red light.

Dark Nebulae

Dark nebulae are dense clouds of gas and dust that block the light from behind them, creating the appearance of a dark patch in the sky. The famous Horsehead Nebula is a well-known example of a dark nebula.

Studying Nebulae

To study nebulae, scientists use telescopes that can detect different wavelengths of light, such as visible light, infrared, and radio waves. By observing these different wavelengths, scientists can learn about the composition, temperature, and dynamics of nebulae.