What characteristic of the internal environment makes nebulae counterintuitive despite their appearance?
Answer
The material density is extraordinarily low, meaning most of the volume is empty space
A critical, often counterintuitive aspect of nebulae is their incredibly low material density, even in regions actively forming stars. While visually they resemble dense clouds, the particle density in star-forming areas might only reach a few hundred to a few thousand particles per cubic centimeter. This particle count is comparable to, or even higher than, the best laboratory vacuums achievable on Earth. Consequently, despite the visual impression of thickness, the vast majority of a nebula's immense volume consists of nearly empty space, with the observable material being widely dispersed.
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