In reflection nebulae, what crucial factor, besides the presence of a bright star, determines the visibility of the blue scattered light?
Answer
The precise density of the dust particles
The visibility of the blue glow in a reflection nebula is highly sensitive to the concentration of interstellar dust. If the dust cloud is too sparse or thin, there will not be enough material present to scatter the starlight with sufficient intensity to be easily detected by observers or cameras. Conversely, if the dust density is excessive, the light from the illuminating star will be largely extinguished or blocked before it can reach the observer, resulting in the appearance of a dark nebula rather than a luminous blue cloud. This implies a precise, intermediate density is required for these objects to stand out.
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