What+is+a+nebula?


 * __WHAT IS A NEBULA?__**

Answer the question below, append new answers to the top of this page. _ __Response 1:__ The dictionary definition of a nebula is a cloud of gas or dust in space appearing either bright or dark. Nebulas can be very large, often ranging across many light years. There are many different types of nebula in the sky. The first type is called an emission nebula. These nebulas emit there own light. An emission nebula usually has a young star inside there gas clouds. The nebula soaks up heat and energy from the stars. Since the stars are so young, they emit ultra violet radiation, and are very hot. All of the radiation from the star supercharges the hydrogen in the nebula gas cloud. This causes the nebula to glow so brightly, therefor emitting its own light. These types of nebula are usually red or pink in colour.
 * Please append your name and qualification / designation after your response
 * Student researched responses MUST be cited, paraphrased, and student names must also be appended to their entries. (First Name, Last Initial)
 * Don't forget to save your entry after you are done.
 * All entries without a contributor's name will be deleted by a moderator.
 * Controversial issues that are raised here that are outside of the scope of the Alberta Curriculum, will be deleted if deemed inappropriate by the moderator.
 * Do not delete any entries without direction from a moderator, you can contact Louis.c@calgaryscienceschool.com if you would like permission to moderate, or if you have reason to remove any entries.

Another type of nebula is a reflection nebula. These nebula, instead of emitting there own light are reflecting the light of the stars around them. This type of nebula is always blue. This is because they are reflecting the light form the stars. When lift passes by a particle of dust, the blue colour in that light is scattered around, wile the other colours in the light travel un disturbed. The blue light travels around the dust cloud bouncing off dust particles, until it escapes the dust cloud and reaches our eyes.

Another type of nebula is called a planetary nebula. This type of nebula is formed when a when a dying star about the size or a sun, begins to shed its outer layers. When a Sun starts to die, it will grow until it becomes what is called a giant star. After millions of years as a giant star, the sun will start to shrink down to its normal size. while shrinking, many of the surface layers of the star will be ahead, this leaves behind a planetary nebula. Unfortunately this type of nebula only lasts for 50, 000 years.

Sadie C.

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/nebula?q=nebula http://www.kidsastronomy.com/nebulae.htm Definition of nebula noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press

__Additional Responses:__

_ //Please report abuse of this wiki to Louis Cheng at louis.c@calgaryscienceschool.com, and note that any answers listed here are put forth in the spirit of sharing information. Not all answers are verified to be correct, and may include bias or opinion offered by contributing experts. Agents of the Calgary Science School, and the institution as a whole will not be held responsible for the content contributed by the public.//