Star Formation
6 questions tagged Star Formation — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
Why do most stars form in giant molecular clouds?
Stars form in giant molecular clouds because those clouds are cold, dense, and rich in molecular hydrogen and dust. Gravity can then collapse clumps of gas into protostars.
What is a starburst galaxy?
A starburst galaxy is a galaxy forming stars at an unusually high rate. Its star formation can be dozens or even hundreds of times faster than in calmer galaxies.
What is the initial mass function in astronomy?
The initial mass function describes how many stars form at different masses in a star-forming region. It helps astronomers understand the mix of small and large stars in galaxies.
What is a stellar nursery?
A stellar nursery is a cloud of gas and dust where new stars are born. These regions are often called nebulae or molecular clouds.
What is a protostar?
A protostar is a young star still forming from a collapsing cloud of gas and dust. It has not yet begun stable hydrogen fusion in its core.
Why do some galaxies look red while others look blue?
Blue galaxies usually have lots of young, hot stars and active star formation, while red galaxies are dominated by older stars with little new star birth. Dust can also make galaxies look redder.