Science glossary film: Cosmic dust

Or interstellar dust, is dust in outer space, often so fine that its particles are more like smoke. It is produced when stars explode, or rocky bodies collide, and much of it is eventually recycled into new stars and solar systems. It used to be a major annoyance to astronomers, obscuring our view of many stars and galaxies, but now infrared astronomy means we can see detail beyond dust clouds.

It is produced when stars explode, or rocky bodies collide, and much of it is eventually recycled into new stars and solar systems. It used to be a major annoyance to astronomers, obscuring our view of many stars and galaxies, but now infrared astronomy means we can see detail beyond dust clouds.