Diffuse Nebulae
Especially in the spiral arms lots of gas and dust is situated between the stars. This material however remains invisible unless illuminated by nearby stars. There are two processes by which the nebulae may be illuminated. If the star, responsible for the illumination, is of a sufficient high temperature (> 20000°K) the gases start to illuminate by the ultraviolet radiation of the star. These nebulae are called "Emission Nebulae". If the surface temperature of the star, responsible for the illumination, is too low the nebulae shine by reflecting starlight. These nebulae are called "Reflection Nebulae". Emission nebulae, rich in blue hot supergiant stars, produces more brilliant illumination than reflection nebulae. Both emission and reflection nebulae go often together with area's filled with dusk, the "Dark Nebulae". The combination of illuminated gases and dark matter often compose the final view of a nebulae as we see it. Diffuse nebulae, emission as well as reflection nebulae, are the "star factories" of our galaxy.
Click on below thumbnails to go to the related page.
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| NGC1976/1982 |
B33 |
NGC2024 |
NGC2237 |
NGC6888 |
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| NGC1977 |
IC1318 |
IC1396 |
IC63 |
NGC2264 |
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| IC410 |
NGC7023 |
IC5146 |
NGC7635 |
NGC281 |
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| NGC1499 |
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© Copyright Rob Kantelberg
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