Nebulae

What Is a Nebula?

A nebula is a huge cloud of gas and dust in space.
It can be many light‑years across, far bigger than any planet.
Nebulae glow because nearby stars light them up, or they shine with their own heat.

How Nebulae Form

Stars are born inside nebulae.
When a big star dies, it can explode and push its material outward, creating a new cloud.
Gravity pulls parts of the cloud together, making dense clumps that can become new stars.

Why Nebulae Matter

Nebulae are the “nurseries” of stars and planets.
Without them, there would be no Sun, Earth, or any life.
Astronomers study nebulae to learn how the universe changes over time.