noun
nebula
NEB-yuh-luh/ˈnebjələ/
A cloud of gas and dust in outer space.
The nebula contains luminous gas filaments and dark lanes of dust.
Etymology
Latin nebula meant mist or fog, an image applied to luminous, cloud-like patches in the sky. Astronomers later distinguished cosmic gas clouds from distant galaxies that had also been called nebulae.
In context
This is a nebula. It may look like a colorful work of art, but it’s really a giant cloud of dust and gas in space.
More examples
- A telescope reveals the faint outline of a distant nebula.
- Some nebulae glow because nearby stars heat their gas.
- Dark nebulas block the light from stars behind them.
Forms
nebula · nebulae · nebulas
nebular adjective — Relating to a nebula or nebulae.
Similar words
- cloud
- Cloud is broader and usually refers to atmospheric droplets.