Why do Reflection Nebulae often exhibit a blue appearance when observed?
Answer
Finer dust particles scatter blue light more efficiently than red light
Reflection Nebulae do not generate their own light; instead, they scatter light originating from adjacent stars. The characteristic blue appearance of these nebulae is due to the physical properties of the microscopic dust grains suspended within them. These finer particles scatter shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue light, much more effectively than longer wavelengths like red light. This phenomenon mirrors the same principle that causes Earth's atmosphere to scatter sunlight and appear blue.
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