Sky science
Dark Nebula
Direct answer
Dark Nebula: A Dark Nebula is a dense interstellar cloud visible mainly because its dust blocks or reddens background light.
It appears as a silhouette against brighter stars or emission.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related
- Emission Nebula, Reflection Nebula, Open Star Cluster, Globular Cluster
It appears as a silhouette against brighter stars or emission.
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The story behind Dark Nebula
Wide-field photography made many dust lanes conspicuous against the Milky Way.
A one-minute story
The Wandering Stars
How the moving planets were watched, named and found, and what a transit is.
Why Dark Nebula matters
Dark Nebula marks cold material where molecules and future stars can form.
Dark Nebula in practice: an example
The Horsehead Nebula appears dark against glowing hydrogen behind it.
Where readings of Dark Nebula go wrong
An apparently empty patch may contain abundant gas and dust rather than no stars.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- NASA Science: Stars - NASA overview of stellar birth, main-sequence evolution, giant phases, remnants, and supernovae.
- NASA Science: Universe Glossary - NASA definitions for common stellar, galactic, orbital, and high-energy astronomy terms.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Look into a dark molecular cloud
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More in Astronomy & Skywatching
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Common questions
What is a Dark Nebula?
A Dark Nebula is a dense interstellar cloud visible mainly because its dust blocks or reddens background light.
What do people get wrong about a Dark Nebula?
An apparently empty patch may contain abundant gas and dust rather than no stars.
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