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emission nebula

American  

noun

Astronomy.

  1. a bright diffuse nebula that emits light as a result of ionization of its gas atoms by ultraviolet radiation, as the Orion Nebula, planetary nebulae, and supernova remnants, as the Crab Nebula.

emission nebula British  

noun

  1. a type of nebula that emits visible radiation See nebula

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
emission nebula Scientific  
/ ĭ-mĭsh′ən /

  1. A nebula that absorbs ionizing ultraviolet radiation from nearby hot stars or star remnants and reemits it as visible light. HII regions, planetary nebulae, and nebulae created by the explosion of supernovae are different kinds of emission nebulae.

  2. See more at nebula

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This image features the California Nebula - also known as NGC 1499 - an emission nebula in the constellation of Perseus.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2024

The Bubble Nebula, also known as NGC 7635, is an emission nebula located 8 000 light-years away.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2022

Known as the Bubble Nebula, or NGC 7635, it is an emission nebula located 8 000 light-years away; emission nebulas are interstellar clouds which are comprised of ionized gases.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.