• Question: what is a planetary nebula?

    Asked by ryan to Steve, Shefali, Kevin, Katie, Floris, Delma on 11 Jan 2016.
    • Photo: Katie Hassell

      Katie Hassell answered on 11 Jan 2016:

      Nebula is from (in not the) Latin for “cloud” so in short it is a cloud of dust and gases in space. I’m not sure why it’s called planetary, because it’s not got anything to do with planets – it’s thought they come about when old stars explode towards or at the end of their lives – leaving behind the big clouds of dust.

    • Photo: Steve Price

      Steve Price answered on 11 Jan 2016:

      I agree with Katie.

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