- Reflection Nebula NGC 1788. A reflection nebula is a cloud of gas and dust that does not emit light of its own. They only shine by reflecting light from nearby stars. (KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/T.A. Rector, H. Schweiker & S. Pakzad) #nebula #universe #cosmos #stars #interstellarSep 5, 2025 09:41