reflection nebula (plural reflection nebulas or reflection nebulae)

1. (astronomy) A nebula that consists of dust which reflects starlight and appears blue in photographs.

   The Pleiades are surrounded by a reflection nebula.

   • 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Citadel Station: Serpent Nebula Codex entry:

     The Citadel is surrounded by a blue-tinted reflection nebula. The light of the nebula is actually light from the Citadel, scattered and reflected back at the station.

• dark nebula
• emission nebula