What is the process of star formation in a protostellar nebula?

Star formation in a protostellar nebula involves the collapse of a cloud of gas and dust.

When a cloud of gas and dust in space becomes dense enough, gravity causes it to collapse in on itself. As the cloud collapses, it begins to spin faster and faster, forming a disk around a central point. This central point becomes the protostar, which continues to grow as it accretes more and more material from the disk.

As the protostar grows, it becomes hotter and denser, eventually becoming hot enough for nuclear fusion to begin in its core. At this point, the protostar becomes a true star, and begins to emit light and heat.

The remaining material in the disk around the star can either be accreted onto the star, or form into planets and other objects in the solar system. This process of planet formation is still not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the clumping together of small particles of dust and ice, which eventually grow into larger and larger bodies.

Overall, the process of star formation in a protostellar nebula is a complex and fascinating one, involving the interplay of gravity, rotation, and nuclear fusion. By studying this process, astronomers can gain a better understanding of how the universe around us came to be.

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