What type of structure glows because nearby hot, young stars excite its gas into luminescence?
Answer
Emission Nebula
Nebulae can exhibit light emission through different physical processes. An Emission Nebula is specifically defined by the property that it glows because it contains gas that has been energized or excited by the intense radiation emitted by nearby hot, young stars. This excitation causes the gas atoms to jump to higher energy states; as they relax back down, they emit light at characteristic wavelengths, making the nebula visibly luminous. This contrasts with reflection nebulae, which scatter starlight, and dark molecular clouds, which primarily absorb background light.
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