Star Formation

Star, any massive self-luminous celestial body of gas that shines by radiation derived from its internal energy sources. This article describes the properties and evolution of individual stars. Included in the discussion are the sizes, energetics, temperatures, masses, and chemical compositions of stars.

How are stars formed? In this article we'll explain stars and learn how stars are formed.

Star - Formation, Evolution, Lifecycle: 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 stars that must be very young or still in the process of formation. Evolutionary effects on these stars are not negligible, even for a middle-aged star such as the Sun. More massive stars must display more spectacular effects because the rate of conversion of mass into…

Some 60 million light-years away in the southerlyconstellation Corvus, two large galaxies are colliding. Stars in the two galaxies, cataloged as NGC 4038 and NGC 4039, very rarely collide in the course of the ponderous cataclysm that lasts for hundreds of millions of years. But the galaxies' large clouds of molecular gas and dust often do, triggering furious episodesof star formation near the center of the cosmic wreckage

Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys celebrates 20 years of discovery

WASTED on Instagram: "The Antennae Galaxies (NGC 4038 and NGC 4039) collided gravitationally, forming a vast heart-like shape visible in space. Located 60 million light years away, they have been merging for a billion years, triggering star formation through colliding interstellar gases. Their iconic antennae structures and cosmic dance are expected to continue for another billion years."

This spectacular image shows a region called G35.2-0.7N, which is known as a hotbed of high-mass star formation. The kind of stars that form here are so massive that they will end their lives as destructive supernovae. However, even as they form they greatly impact their surroundings. At least one B-type star — the second most massive type — lurks within the region pictured here, and a powerful protostellar jet that it is launching towards us is the source of the spectacular light show.

Absolutely gorgeous

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) designs, builds, and runs the world's most sophisticated radio telescopes for scientists to study the Sun, planets, solar system, distant stars, galaxies, black holes, and other mysterious objects millions to billions of light-years away.

A telescope inside a jumbo jet yields new insights on how stars are born from collapsing gas and dust.