Nebulae and Star Clusters
Appearance
There are several astronomical catalogues referred to as Nebulae and Star Clusters.
A Nebula is a cloud of dust and gas inside a galaxy. Nebulae become visible if the gas glows, or if the cloud reflects starlight or obscures light from more distant objects.
The catalogues that it may refer to:
- Catalogue des nébuleuses et des amas d'étoiles (Messier "M" catalogue) first published 1771
- Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars (William Herschel 'CN'/"H" catalogue) first published 1786
- General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars (John Herschel 'GC'/"h" catalogue) first published 1864
- New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars (Dreyer "NGC" catalogue) first published 1888
- Index Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars (JLE Dreyer's "IC" catalogue)
See also
[edit]- Nebula, a type of celestial body
- Galaxy, a type of celestial body formerly referred to as nebulae
- Star cluster or cluster of stars, a type of celestial body