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

Question

hard line edges
• the presence of young stars
• interactions with light
contain remnants of stars

Answer 1

Emission and reflection nebulae primarily differ in their interactions with light:

• Emission Nebulae: These nebulae glow because they emit their own light, primarily due to the ionization of gas by the ultraviolet radiation from nearby young, hot stars. They often have a characteristic reddish color due to the presence of hydrogen.

• Reflection Nebulae: These nebulae do not emit their own light but instead reflect the light of nearby stars. They often appear blue because blue light is scattered more effectively than red light by the dust particles within them.

Thus, the key difference lies in their mechanisms of light interaction: emission nebulae emit light due to ionization, while reflection nebulae reflect the light from surrounding stars.