how were stars made?
by claire
http://library.thinkquest.org/26220/stars/formation.html
Just remember to keep a 100% positive attitude during the entire interivew. ,
Stars are formed through a process called stellar nucleosynthesis within large clouds of gas and dust called nebulae. Let's break down the steps of star formation:
1. Nebula Formation: Nebulae are formed from interstellar gas and dust. These clouds of matter can be triggered to collapse under the influence of gravity. External factors such as the explosion of a nearby supernova or the shock waves from a galaxy collision can cause these collapses.
2. Protostar Formation: Once a nebula begins collapsing under its gravitational force, it forms a dense core called a protostar. As the protostar continues to collapse, it becomes hotter and denser, causing the atoms in it to collide and release energy in the form of heat and light.
3. Nuclear Fusion: Temperature and pressure inside the protostar eventually become high enough to initiate nuclear fusion. This is the process where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing an immense amount of energy in the form of light and heat. Fusion reactions at the core generate an outward pressure, counterbalancing the gravitational force trying to further collapse the protostar.
4. Main Sequence Star: Once the protostar stabilizes, it becomes a main sequence star. At this point, the star is in a state of equilibrium between the inward gravitational pressure and the outward pressure from the fusion reactions.
The specifics of star formation can vary depending on factors such as the mass of the collapsing gas cloud and the composition of the protostar. Heavier stars require higher temperatures and pressures to initiate fusion reactions, and they also burn through their fuel faster, leading to shorter lifetimes compared to smaller stars.
To learn more about this fascinating process, you can study astrophysics, read books, articles, or explore online resources related to stellar formation and evolution.