Final answer:
Lighter elements like hydrogen and helium are typically found in liquid or gaseous states in H II regions, which are areas with ionized hydrogen near hot stars. Hot stars ionize the hydrogen, causing it to glow red, particularly at the red line in the Balmer series in astronomical imagery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lighter elements such as hydrogen and helium are more likely to be found in a liquid or gaseous state in regions of space known as H II regions. These areas are associated with ionized hydrogen, which means the hydrogen atoms in these parts of space have lost their electrons due to the presence of nearby hot stars. As these hot stars ionize the hydrogen, the gas gets heated and exhibits a characteristic red glow, particularly at the red line in the Balmer series which stands out in astronomical photographs. Helium, while not mentioned as glowing red like hydrogen in H II regions, also exists in a gaseous state in these warm interstellar environments.
Furthermore, helium was discovered through its yellow emission line in the sun's spectrum before it was found on Earth. It is the second-most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen, important to note considering their prevalence in interstellar space. In regions with lower density, such as those created by supernova explosions, the gases may be even less ionized and scattered, allowing for the existence of these lighter elements in their gaseous or liquid states depending on pressure and temperature conditions.