A protostar is a very young star that is still gathering mass from its parent molecular cloud. It is the earliest phase in the process of stellar evolution. [1] For a low-mass star (i.e. that of the Sun or lower), it lasts about 500,000 years. [2]

Apr 12, 2024 · What is a Protostar? A protostar is a stage in the formation of a star where a dense cloud of gas and dust begins to collapse under its own gravity. This collapse triggers the process of nuclear fusion, which eventually leads to the birth of a new star.

May 21, 2024 · What is a Protostar? A protostar is a young star which is in the early stages of formation, before it reaches the main sequence stage. This stage of star formation can last 100,000 years or more, depending on the size of the star.

Feb 2, 2023 · A protostar is the result of the gravitational collapse of a nebula. It is the formative phase of a star. During this phase, the infant star strives to gain equilibrium between its internal forces and gravity.

A protostar becomes a main sequence star when its core temperature exceeds 10 million K. This is the temperature needed for hydrogen fusion to operate efficiently. The length of time all of this takes depends on the mass of the star.

Nov 21, 2023 · What is a protostar and how does it form? A protostar is a young star that has not yet depleted its surrounding molecular gas through gravitational contraction....

Because of the gravitational attraction that the molecules have, the nebula can unite into a denser, tightly packed object called a protostar through the process of accretion. The cloud becomes so dense that visible light inside it is blocked and cannot be seen.

During this time, and up until hydrogen burning begins and it joins the main sequence, the object is known as a protostar. This stage of stellar evolution may last for between 100,000 and 10 million years depending on the size of the star being formed.

A protostar is the earliest stage of a star's life cycle. It forms from a collapsing cloud of gas and dust within a molecular cloud. As the material contracts under gravity, it heats up and begins to glow.

Feb 22, 2025 · What is a protostar? A protostar is the earliest stage in the formation of a star. Imagine a giant cloud of gas and dust in space. Over time, gravity pulls this material together, causing it to collapse and heat up. This hot, dense core is what we call a protostar.