Chantelle Kiessner

Astronomy 1040 CE
1/1/15
Essay
I completed my PowerPoint project on Nebulae. I chose this topic because I knew
fairly little about these phenomena. Nebulae are interstellar clouds of dust, hydrogen,
helium, and other ionized gases. They form in the gravitational collapse of gas. Stars that
may form ionize this gas, which makes it visible at optical wavelengths. Others can be
formed as the result of supernovae explosions. The materials released by the dying star
are ionized by the energy it produces. Nebulae are basically ionized leftovers of a dying
star in interstellar space. Stars and solar systems can be created in nebulae, as all matter is
recycled in the universe. There are many different types of nebulae, such as planetary
nebulae, diffuse nebulae, and dark nebulae, which allow no light to come through. There
are many famous nebulae, such as the Horsehead Nebula, a dark nebula, the Omega
Nebula, an emission nebula, and the Red Rectangle Nebula, a Protoplanetary Nebula.
Nebulae are very interesting objects in our universe, and contribute to the recycling and
formation of stars.
When I presented the PowerPoint to my family, it appeared they knew very little
about the subject, except for one person. They did not know that the dark nebulae were
responsible for the random dark patches in the Milky Way. They had just assumed there
were random holes or empty patches between the stars. They were very interested but the
interest ceased after the presentation was finished. It seems many people do not know
much about the universe and want to know more, but dont take the time to research or
learn on the subject. I think learning and knowing about our universe is very important to
our lives and existence. For how else would we know about ourselves and the
environment we live in? All the information is right there for learning, and yet most
people dont take the initiative.
That is the main reason I decided to take this class. To increase my awareness on
the universe and ourselves. There is so much we know; yet it is almost nothing. But to
understand what we do know is key. It is the only way we can move forward as a species.
Learning about the way of the cosmos should be a requirement in the education system.
Because how can the universe be aware of itself and know nothing of itself at the same
time? The cosmos are the key to our existence.
My simple Nebulae PowerPoint has brought to light the issues of our existence.
We know so little and we know everything. In fact, the other day, my AP European
History teacher, who is very knowledgeable in the history of our existence, stated that the
reason our planet has seasons is because of orbit of the earth, how it is not a perfect
circular orbit, and not because of earths axial tilt. This is the problem with our society.
We are so smart, but we know very little. The basics of astronomy should be common
knowledge. We do not live in the time of Aristotle, of speculations. This is the time of
facts and discoveries, of rules and formulas. But we lag behind. This needs to change.