The Mysteries of Nebulae and Star Formation

A nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space, often appearing as colorful art. Nebulae are far from Earth, and scientists use telescopes to capture their images. They can form from supernovae or be regions where new stars form, known as star nurseries. The process of star formation involves gravity pulling dust and gas together until a star begins to form. The Helix Nebula, a remnant of a dying star, is the closest known nebula to Earth. Telescopes like NASA's Spitzer, Hubble, and the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope help us study nebulae, enhancing our understanding of star lifecycles.

What is a nebula primarily composed of?

• Dust and gas

• Water and ice

• Rock and metal

• Light and sound

How do some nebulae originate?

• From the collision of planets

• From the explosion of a dying star

• From the merging of galaxies

• From the evaporation of black holes

What is a 'star nursery'?

• A black hole

• A place where stars are destroyed

• A type of galaxy

• A region where new stars are forming

What role does gravity play in star formation within a nebula?

• It cools down the nebula

• It pulls dust and gas together

• It disperses the dust and gas

• It prevents star formation

What happens when a clump of dust and gas in a nebula becomes large enough?

• It disappears

• It forms a black hole

• It collapses and heats up to form a star

• It turns into a planet

What is the Helix Nebula?

• A type of galaxy

• A remnant of a dying star

• A newly formed star

• A black hole

How far is the Helix Nebula from Earth?

• 500 light-years

• 1,000 light-years

• 100 light-years

• 700 light-years

Which telescope will help scientists learn more about nebulae?

• The Hubble Space Telescope

• The James Webb Space Telescope

• The Kepler Space Telescope

• The Chandra X-ray Observatory

Why is studying nebulae important for understanding stars?

• They contain all known elements

• They are the largest objects in space

• They are the only source of light in the universe

• They help us understand the lifecycle of stars