Space exploration began with the launch of Sputnik and Astrophysics was born as the application of physics to the phenomena observed by Astronomy, which etymologically means laws of the stars.
There are 2759 entries in this glossary.| Term | Definition |
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| Reflection Nebula |
A cool cloud of interstellar gas and dust that shines because the dust scatters the light from nearby stars; the cloud is not itself luminous. The spectrum of the scattered light is the same as that of the starlight, though blue light is scattered more extensively than red light since the effect depends on wavelength. A notable reflection nebula is that surrounding the stars of the Pleiades.
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