What is all the space smoke in the new photos taken by the Webb telescope?

Question

Apparently I’m referring to the “cosmic cliffs”. What is all that stuff? Is it solid or gas? So many questions.

In: 0

Answer 1

Lest anyone have illusions about the “solidity” of these nebulae:

Typical densities are in the range of 100 to 10,000 particles per cm 3. This is much more dense than the general interstellar medium (1 particle per cm 3 ), but much, much less dense than anything you are used to – air is around 10 19 particles per cm 3. You would very easily see your own hand in a nebula. (From physics.stackexchange.com. cm 3 means a cubic centimeter, and 10 19 means 10 to the 19th power)

So despite appearances, you’re still looking at a pretty good vacuum.