Quiz on “Nebulae” — the colorful clouds of gas and dust in space.

A nebula is a vast cloud of gas and dust in space, often serving as a stellar nursery where new stars are born. Nebulae come in different types, including emission nebulae, which glow due to ionized gases; reflection nebulae, which shine by reflecting the light of nearby stars; dark nebulae, which are dense clouds that block light from objects behind them; and planetary nebulae, formed when dying stars shed their outer layers. Some famous nebulae include the Orion Nebula, the Crab Nebula, and the Ring Nebula. Nebulae play a crucial role in the life cycle of stars, as they provide the raw materials from which stars and planets form. They also add beauty to the universe, often appearing in vivid colors due to different gases emitting light at specific wavelengths. Studying nebulae helps astronomers understand stellar formation and evolution.