Nebulas' size ranges from millions of miles to hundreds of light-years in diameter. Keep reading for more interesting facts perfect for kids. A typical diffuse nebula is a few hundred light-years across.

Context Explanation

(NGC 2264 shown; see also the Horsehead Nebula) Planetary Nebulae Planetary nebulae are shells of gas thrown out by some stars near the end of their lives. Our Sun will probably produce a planetary nebula in about 5 billion years. This nebula can be found a third of a degree from the Horsehead Nebula. NGC 2023 is around 1,467 light-years away from Earth.

Insight Material

Monkey Head Nebula The Monkey Head Nebula, designated as NGC 2174, is an emission nebula classified as an H II region. It is associated with the open cluster NGC 2175, also located in Orion. The constellation of Ursa Major hosts seven Messier objects, they are the binary star Messier 40, the galaxies Messier 81, Messier 82, Messier 101, Messier 108, Messier 109, and the nebula Messier 97. Currently, around 21 stars have been discovered to host planets in Ursa Major. They observed the Tarantula Nebula and a central star captured their attention.

Final Conclusion

They cataloged it RMC 136. Later, in 1979 astronomers used ESO’s 3.6-meter telescope and concluded that RMC 136 was actually made of three stars that were named R136a, R136b, and R136c. Corona Australis Nebula The Corona Australis Nebula is a bright reflection nebula, located at around 420 light-years away from us. This nebula is formed by several bright stars that are caught up in a dark cloud of dust, and this cloud is also a star-forming region, with clusters of young stars embedded within it. The Seagull Nebula The Seagull Nebula, designated as IC 2177, is a region of nebulosity that lies along the border between the constellations f Monoceros and Canis Major. It is a roughly circular H II region centered on the Be star HD 55367.

The Seagull Nebula is situated at around 3,650 light-years away from us, having an apparent magnitude of ... Here is a brief outline of the current theory of the events in the early history of the solar system: A cloud of interstellar gas and/or dust (the “solar nebula”) is disturbed and collapses under its own gravity. The disturbance could be, for example, the shock wave from a nearby supernova. As the cloud collapses, it heats up and compresses in the center.