Chapter 10 Notes: Nebulae
Astronomy
Name:
Date:
I. A World of Dust
1. The space between stars is not completely ___________________ , but filled with very
dilute ___________ and _______________, producing some of the most beautiful
objects in the sky.
2. We are interested in the _______________________ medium because:
o Dense interstellar clouds are the ____________ _____________ of stars
o Dark clouds alter and ________________ the light from _________________
behind them.
II. Three Kinds of Nebulae
Emission Nebulae
 Hot ______________ illuminates a gas cloud
 Excites and/or ___________________ the gas (electrons kicked into
__________________ energy states)
 Electrons falling back to _________________ state produce energy
 Almost always appear red in color
Reflection Nebulae
 Star illuminates ______________ and dust cloud
 Star light is _________________ by the dust
 Reflection nebula appear _____________ because blue light is
____________________ by larger angles than red light
 Same phenomenon makes the day sky appear ______________.
Dark (______________________) Nebulae
 Dense clouds of gas and dust _____________________ the light from the
stars _________________
 Appear dark in front of _____________________ background