What is this giant cloud of glowing dust scorched by the heat of a massive stellar explosion?

Answer 1

It sounds like you are talking about a nebula, which is basically a glowing "cloud" of gas and dust. The color is determined by the composition of the nebula, and whether or not there is a nearby star to provide radiation to cause the nebula to glow. Take a look at the Horsehead Nebula in Orion. The "horesehead" appears dark because there is no star nearby.
There are several types of nebulae, including supernova remnant, emission, planetary, and dark. A supernova remnant is the dust and gas remaining from a supernova explosion, which is a dying massive star that has "exploded" sending shockwaves, dust and gas throughout surrounding space. Examples of this are the California Nebula, and the famous Crab Nebula in Taurus.
An emission nebula is a "stellar factory" where gas is condensing and new stars are forming. Supernova explosions are believed to be one of the forces to start this process and to trigger star birth. The Orion Nebula is an example.
A planetary nebula, despite the name, has nothing to do with planets. These form when a white dwarf star (what our sun will eventually become in billions of years) is venting its outer layers, forming a nebula of glowing gas. The Ring Nebula in Lyra is an example of a planetary nebula.
What you describe sounds like a supernova remnant.

Answer 2

The Crab Nebula?

Answer 3

Sounds like a supernova remnant - the Crab nebula's a good example.

Answer 4

Let me guess, you are talking about the famous Pillars of Creation, and the recent news that it's probably been blown away by supernova explosions.

Answer 5

sounds like you are talking about a nebula

Answer 6

volcano