What is a “Nebula”?
A Nebula is a cloud of gas and dust floating in space. It is visible either as a luminous region or a dark patch against the back ground of stars.
What is a Planetary Nebula?
A planetary nebula is a spherical or ellipsoidal shell of gas around a white dwarf, and is formed when a red giant leaves behind an outer shell of matter while contracting.
What are the Magellanic Clouds?
In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan the navigator observed two small star clouds in the heavens, similar to the Milky Way, visible to the naked eye. These have been named after him, and are visible only from the southern hemisphere. These clouds have since been identified as satellite galaxies of our own system.