As a branch of astronomy, star formation includes the study of the interstellar medium (ISM) and giant molecular clouds (GMC) as precursors to the star formation process, and the study of protostars and …

May 2, 2025 · Stars form in large clouds of gas and dust called molecular clouds. Molecular clouds range from 1,000 to 10 million times the mass of the Sun and can span as much as hundreds of light …

Oct 27, 2025 · Throughout the Milky Way Galaxy (and even near the Sun itself), astronomers have discovered stars that are well evolved or even approaching extinction, or both, as well as occasional …

Star formation happens in interstellar molecular clouds: opaque clumps of very cold gas and dust. The process starts when some of those clumps reach a critical mass, allowing them to collapse under …

Aug 23, 2025 · In this sense, every star is the child of earlier stars. The cycle of stellar birth, life, and death enriches the cosmos with new elements, making future stars and planets more complex.

Jul 28, 2025 · Star formation is a critical process in the universe. It involves the birth of stars from clouds of gas and dust in space. Understanding how stars form helps scientists learn about the history of …

Hubble discoveries in the field of star formation in the early Universe include the realisation that stars and galaxies formed earlier in cosmic history than previously thought.

A star can form inside a core if its density is high enough that gravity can overwhelm the internal pressure and cause the gas and dust to collapse. The accumulation of material halts when a …

Oct 17, 2025 · Star formation is the process by which dense regions within molecular clouds in interstellar space collapse and form stars. These regions are known as stellar nurseries, where …

Apr 10, 2025 · Seeing ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light helps Hubble uncover the mysteries of star formation. Stars form in large clouds of gas and dust called nebulae that scatter the visible …