Can Astronomers Observe Nebulae, the Regions Where Stars Form

question 224

Multiple Choice

Can astronomers observe nebulae, the regions where stars form?

• A) Yes. A number of them can be seen easily with low-power binoculars.
• B) Yes, but a medium-size telescope (say, 16'') is required to see any of them.
• C) Yes, but only a powerful research instrument can see them.
• D) No. Nebulae are very short-lived phenomena. They either collapse to form star systems, or they disperse. Theoretically, it is known they exist for short periods of time, but astronomers have never observed any of them directly.

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Definitions:

Encoding Failure

A situation where information does not enter the brain's long-term memory and hence cannot be recalled later.

Implicit Memory

Implicit memory refers to the unconscious retention of information, which influences behavior without conscious recollection.

Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

A hypothesis that describes the decrease in ability of the brain to retain memory over time, where memories are lost exponentially with time.

Implicit Memory

A type of long-term memory that enables us to perform tasks without conscious awareness of these previous experiences.