Nebulae are vast clouds of gas and dust that serve as the birthplace of new stars. These cosmic nurseries are home to young stars, as well as remnants of dead stars. Famous nebulae like the Orion Nebula are visible with telescopes and show beautiful, colorful patterns of light emitted by ionized gases.
Nebulae come in various forms, including emission nebulae, reflection nebulae, and dark nebulae. The most famous of these is the Crab Nebula, the remnant of a supernova explosion. Studying these regions helps scientists understand the life cycle of stars and the processes that lead to the formation of planetary systems.