A gaseous nebula is a diffuse cloud of gas and dust in space, typically illuminated by nearby stars. However, there are several other synonyms for this term, including emission nebula and planetary nebula. Emission nebula refers to clouds of ionized gas that emit light at specific wavelengths, while planetary nebula are formed by the ejected outer layers of dying stars, creating a spherical shape. Other synonyms include reflection nebula, dark nebula and supernova remnant. Each type of nebula has its unique characteristics, but all provide astronomers with important information about the universe's formation and evolution, making their study crucial to unlocking the mysteries of space.