supergiant nebula
Quick Summary
A supergiant nebula, also known as an H II region, is a vast cloud of interstellar gas, primarily ionized hydrogen atoms. These nebulae are energized by hot stars with surface temperatures exceeding 20,000 K. They can be enormous, with some in other galaxies spanning 500 light-years and containing over 100,000 solar masses of gas. The Orion Nebula is a well-known example visible from Earth. Supergiant nebulae are crucial for galaxy structure, heating interstellar gas and being a source of heavy elements. They can also trigger new star formation by compressing surrounding gas. A supernova remnant is a nebula left behind after a star explodes.12
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