Study Notes on Inte'rstellar Dust

A collection of flashcards summarizing the key concepts related to interstellar dust, including its effects on light, types of nebulae, and observations related to star brightness and color.

Interstellar Dust

A small percentage of interstellar matter that has noticeable effects on light.

Reflection Nebulae

Nebulae where short (blue) wavelengths of light are scattered best by dust grains, resulting in polarized light.

Dark Nebulae

Dense dust clouds that block the light from background stars, making them appear black.

Dust Composition

Dust in space consists of ice-coated grains of silicon, carbon compounds, and other minerals.

Interstellar Reddening

The effect where dust scatters shorter wavelengths of light, allowing only the redder part of the spectrum to pass through.

Observed Color of Stars

The expected color of a star is indicative of its temperature, but dust can cause reddening.

Infrared Emission by Dust

Dust absorbs starlight and radiates absorbed energy back into space at infrared wavelengths.

Dust Grains

Tiny particles in space, averaging about 100 nm in size, responsible for scattering light.

Dimming Correction

Adjustment made for the effects of dust before using brightness to determine distance.

NGC 6520

A star cluster referenced in the context of observational astronomy.

Barnard 86

A dark nebula that demonstrates the effects of interstellar dust.