Comparison
Galaxy vs Nebula
Two very different deep-sky objects often confused with one another.
Reference
Galaxy
A gravitationally bound system of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter.
- Category
- Astronomy term
- Our galaxy
- The Milky Way
- Holds together by
- Gravity, including dark matter
Reference
Nebula
An interstellar cloud of gas and dust.
- Category
- Astronomy term
- Made of
- Interstellar gas and dust
- Role
- Birthplace and graveyard of stars
Sources & references
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.
- ESAEuropean Space Agency
European missions, observatories, and space science imagery.