What specific element's excitation is responsible for the strong reddish-pink hue in regions like the Lagoon Nebula?
Answer
Excited hydrogen gas
The pronounced reddish-pink color frequently observed in active star-forming regions, such as the Lagoon Nebula or the Eagle Nebula, serves as a reliable indicator of the dominant element present. This signature color is almost always attributed to excited hydrogen gas. Since hydrogen is the universe's most abundant element, its energetic emission lines define the visibility and color profile of many nebulae that are currently involved in the process of creating new solar systems.
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