Integrated Flux Nebula

Integrated flux nebulae are a relatively recently identified astronomical phenomenon.

The term was coined by Steve Mandel who defined them as "high galactic latitude nebulae that are illuminated not by a single star (as most nebula in the plane of the Galaxy are) but by the energy from the integrated flux of all the stars in the Milky Way.

As a result, these nebulae are incredibly faint, taking hours of exposure to capture.

These nebulae clouds, an important component of the interstellar medium, are composed of dust particles, hydrogen and carbon monoxide and other elements.

While imaging M81 and M82 in December 2004, Steve Mandel spotted a large nebula complex around both of the galaxies,[3] after consulting with radio and optical astronomers Steve Mandel was able to confirm that he had come across a huge dust complex that wasn't very known.