Examples of real nebulae where new stars and planets are forming

📚 Quick Study Guide

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• Nebulae are vast clouds of gas and dust in space.
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• Star formation occurs when gravity causes dense regions within a nebula to collapse.
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• Protoplanetary disks, swirling disks of gas and dust, form around young stars and are where planets are born.
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• Emission nebulae glow due to ionized gas, often hydrogen, energized by nearby stars.
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• Reflection nebulae shine by reflecting the light of nearby stars.
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• Dark nebulae block light from objects behind them.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is a key process that occurs within nebulae?
   1. A. Nuclear fusion of heavy elements
   2. B. Gravitational collapse leading to star formation
   3. C. Black hole formation
   4. D. Supernova explosions
2. What type of nebula glows due to ionized gas?
   1. A. Dark nebula
   2. B. Reflection nebula
   3. C. Emission nebula
   4. D. Planetary nebula
3. In which nebula is a famous region of active star formation located?
   1. A. Horsehead Nebula
   2. B. Orion Nebula
   3. C. Crab Nebula
   4. D. Eagle Nebula
4. What are protoplanetary disks?
   1. A. Failed stars that didn't ignite nuclear fusion
   2. B. Swirling disks of gas and dust around young stars where planets form
   3. C. Remnants of supernova explosions
   4. D. Dark regions within nebulae that block light
5. Which nebula shines by reflecting the light of nearby stars?
   1. A. Emission nebula
   2. B. Dark nebula
   3. C. Reflection nebula
   4. D. Supernova remnant
6. What is the primary reason why dark nebulae appear dark?
   1. A. They emit very little light
   2. B. They absorb and block light from objects behind them
   3. C. They are too far away to be seen
   4. D. They are composed of antimatter
7. Which of these nebulae contains the 'Pillars of Creation'?
   1. A. Orion Nebula
   2. B. Crab Nebula
   3. C. Eagle Nebula
   4. D. Ring Nebula