Star formation
Star formation is the process by which dense regions of molecular clouds collapse under their own gravity, leading to the birth of new stars. This process involves the collapse of a giant molecular cloud, which fragments into smaller regions that continue to collapse, eventually forming a protostar. As the protostar collapses, its core becomes increasingly hot and dense, eventually igniting nuclear fusion reactions and marking the birth of a new star. The study of star formation is closely tied to our understanding of the interstellar medium and the galaxy as a whole. Astronomers use a variety of tools, including telescopes and spectroscopy, to study star formation and gain insights into the evolution of the universe. The process of star formation is also influenced by factors such as magnetic fields and turbulence.