Interstellar cloud facts for kids
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A small part of the emission nebula NGC 6357. It glows with the characteristic red of an H II region.
An interstellar cloud is a denser-than-average part of the interstellar medium, (ISM). It is matter and radiation in the space between the star systems in a galaxy.
An interstellar cloud is formed by the gas and dust particles from a red giant in its later life.
The cloud is made of gas, plasma, and dust in our and other galaxies.
Its hydrogen can be:
- neutral, making it an H I region;
- ionized, or plasma making it an H II region; or
- molecular (molecular clouds).
Neutral and ionized clouds are sometimes also called diffuse clouds.
Images for kids
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Reflection nebula IRAS 10082-5647 observed by the Hubble Space Telescope.
See also
In Spanish: Nube interestelar para niños
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Interstellar cloud Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.