Would a nebula look colorful if you traveled into it?

No. You would probably see nothing at all because the gases are so spread out in space, and you would have no 'no nebular' sky against which to see the contrast. At a density of only a few hundred atoms per cubic centimeter, most nebula are better then the best vacua we can make on the earth, and as such it would be impossible to see anything of their color if you are inside one of them. Of course I could be wrong on this, but this is my impression of the relevant physics. I am always amused by movies taht portray star ships inside or near very colorful nebulae, or with background skies swirling with color.


Copyright 1997 Dr. Sten Odenwald
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