bok globule: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “bok globule” mean?
A small, dark nebula of dense gas and dust in interstellar space, typically a site of star formation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, dark nebula of dense gas and dust in interstellar space, typically a site of star formation.
In astronomy, a compact, isolated cloud of molecular hydrogen and cosmic dust, appearing as a dark silhouette against a brighter background, often the precursor to the formation of low-mass stars.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling remains identical. Pronunciation may show minor accent variations.
Connotations
None beyond its strict scientific definition.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse in both regions, used exclusively within the specialised field of astrophysics.
Grammar
How to Use “bok globule” in a Sentence
The Bok globule [verb: is, appears, contains]...Astronomers observed a Bok globule in [noun: constellation, nebula].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bok globule” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Bok-globule phase is critical.
- Bok-globule observations are challenging.
American English
- The Bok-globule stage is crucial.
- Bok-globule data is scarce.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in astrophysics research papers, textbooks, and lectures to describe a specific stage in stellar formation.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context. Used in astronomical observations, simulations, and theoretical models of star birth.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bok globule”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bok globule”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bok globule”
- Misspelling as 'bock globule' or 'bok globular'.
- Using it as a general term for any nebula.
- Pronouncing 'Bok' to rhyme with 'rock' in American English (it should rhyme with 'talk').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Bart Bok was a Dutch-American astronomer who, with his wife Priscilla, first brought attention to these small dark clouds in the 1940s.
No. Bok globules are a specific subset of dark nebulae: they are typically smaller, more isolated, and more compact than larger dark clouds like the Coalsack.
It is extremely difficult. They appear as very faint, small dark patches against a bright background (like a star field or emission nebula), requiring excellent observing conditions and often larger telescopes.
Under the influence of its own gravity, a Bok globule may contract and fragment, potentially forming one or more low-mass stars or brown dwarfs at its centre, eventually dissipating the surrounding dust and gas.
A small, dark nebula of dense gas and dust in interstellar space, typically a site of star formation.
Bok globule is usually technical/scientific in register.
Bok globule: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɒk ˈɡlɒbjuːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɑːk ˈɡlɑːbjuːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Bart BOK looking at a small, GLOBULE-shaped dark spot in space where a star might be BORN.
Conceptual Metaphor
A cosmic cocoon or an interstellar egg, containing the seed of a future star.
Practice
Quiz
What is a Bok globule primarily associated with?