Interstellar medium
noun
1.
the matter occurring between the stars of our Galaxy, largely in the spiral arms, and consisting mainly of huge clouds of ionized, neutral, or molecular hydrogen ISM
interstellar medium
(ĭn’tər-stěl’ər)
Material, mostly hydrogen gas, other gases, and dust, occupying the space between the stars and providing the raw material for the formation of new stars. Nebulae are the most distinct areas of the interstellar medium; they appear when the clouds of gas and dust cluster due to interaction with nearby stars or star remnants.
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[in-ter-stel-er] /ˌɪn tərˈstɛl ər/ adjective 1. Astronomy. situated or occurring between the stars: interstellar dust. /ˌɪntəˈstɛlə/ adjective 1. conducted, or existing between two or more stars adj. 1620s, “situated between the stars,” from inter- + stellar.
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[in-tur-stis] /ɪnˈtɜr stɪs/ noun, plural interstices [in-tur-stuh-seez, -stuh-siz] /ɪnˈtɜr stəˌsiz, -stə sɪz/ (Show IPA) 1. an intervening space. 2. a small or narrow space or interval between things or parts, especially when one of a series of alternating uniform spaces and parts: the interstices between the slats of a fence. 3. Roman Catholic Church. the […]
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[in-ter-stish-uh l] /ˌɪn tərˈstɪʃ əl/ adjective 1. pertaining to, situated in, or forming . 2. Anatomy. situated between the cells of a structure or part: interstitial tissue. noun 3. Crystallography. an imperfection in a crystal caused by the presence of an extra atom in an otherwise complete lattice. Compare (def 6). /ˌɪntəˈstɪʃəl/ adjective 1. of […]
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