noun

nebula

/ˈnɛbjələ/ · say it: NEB·yuh·luh

a cloud of gas and dust in space

In Science & Nature

In more detail

1. (noun) a cloud of gas and dust in space that can be seen as a bright or dark patch in the night sky

2. (noun) a galaxy, especially one that appears as a faint cloudy patch

Examples

1. The Orion Nebula is one of the brightest nebulas visible from Earth.
2. Early astronomers called distant galaxies nebulas because they looked like clouds through their telescopes.

How to use nebula

Nebula is used in astronomy to describe interstellar clouds visible in the night sky. The term can refer to emission nebulae (which emit light), reflection nebulae (which reflect light from nearby stars), or dark nebulae (which obscure light). Historically, galaxies were sometimes called nebulae before modern telescopes clarified the distinction.

Common phrases

distant nebula
nebula in space
planetary nebula
supernova remnant nebula
observe a nebula
nebula glows

Synonyms

cloud of gas and dust · cosmic cloud · emission nebula · reflection nebula · dark nebula

Word family

nebular (adjective) · nebulae (plural) · nebulas (plural)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use nebula and galaxy interchangeably, but they are distinct: a nebula is a cloud of gas and dust, while a galaxy is a massive collection of stars, gas, and dust.

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