How do emission and reflection nebulae differ?(1 point)

Responses

interactions with light
interactions with light

contain remnants of stars
contain remnants of stars

hard line edges
hard line edges

the presence of young stars
the presence of young stars

1 answer

The key difference between emission and reflection nebulae is related to their interactions with light, specifically:

  • Emission Nebulae: These nebulae emit their own light as a result of ionization caused by high-energy radiation from nearby young, hot stars. They typically appear in bright colors due to the heated gases (like hydrogen) that are fluorescing.

  • Reflection Nebulae: These nebulae do not emit their own light but instead reflect the light of nearby stars. They appear bluish because blue light is scattered more efficiently by the dust particles in the nebula.

Thus, the correct response would be "interactions with light."