A large cloud of gas and dust in space, often where new stars are born or where old stars have exploded. Through telescopes, some nebulae look like colorful, glowing clouds.
From Latin 'nebula' meaning 'mist, vapor, cloud'. Astronomers borrowed the word because faint, fuzzy objects in the sky looked like little clouds.
Nebulae are like the recycling centers of the universe—old stars explode and their remains form clouds that can create new stars and planets. When you see pictures of bright, colorful nebulae, you’re looking at cosmic baby nurseries and graveyards at the same time.
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