The Mutara Nebula
The Mutara Nebula is an interstellar dust cloud located in the Mutara Sector. The nebula contains high levels of static discharge and comprises largely of ionized gases. The combined effect of this makes a starship's sensors highly unreliable and shields inoperable when inside.
In 2285 it was the site of the horrific Battle of the Mutara Nebula. The battle ended when Khan Noonien Singh detonated the experimental Genesis Device inside the nebula, causing matter within it to re-form into the Genesis Planet. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
- It is unclear if the entire nebula was consumed in the detonation (images from the Enterprise's escape suggest part of it survived). Also unclear is how the Mutara Nebula relates to a Mutara-class nebula.
- Visuals of the Mutara Nebula, turned upside-down and slightly modified, were reused as the Chamra Vortex in DS9: "Vortex". Visuals of the nebula also appear in modified form in certain shots of the Paulson Nebula in TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds".