reflection nebula

noun

, Astronomy.

1. a cloud of interstellar gas and dust that reflects the light of neighboring stars.

reflection nebula

1. A nebula that reflects the light of a nearby star or stars toward Earth rather than producing its own.
2. See more at nebula

Word History and Origins

Origin of reflection nebula¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The energy from the two baby blue stars created a dazzling blue reflection nebula known as Bernes 149.

From Space Scoop

Image: The two young, low-mass proto-stars HR 5999 and HR 6000 illuminate nearby dust, creating the reflection nebula Bernes 149.

From Space Scoop

The image is that of a reflection nebula, nicknamed Toby Jug Nebula, resembling the shape of an old style English jug.

From Space Scoop

Looking like a glittering cosmic geode, a trio of dazzling stars blaze from the hollowed-out cavity of a reflection nebula in this new image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

From Science Daily

The energy from the two baby blue stars created a dazzling blue reflection nebula known as Bernes 149.

From Space Scoop