What does the birth of a star look like?

The formation of a star starts with the collapse of a dense area inside a giant molecular cloud. The material contracts due to gravity, heating up and forming a protostar. After millions of years, nuclear fusion ignites in the star's core, producing energy and light. The star enters the main sequence phase when its pressure equals that of the gravitational forces, where it will stay stable for the majority of its life.

The birth of a star begins within a molecular cloud when regions of higher density start to collapse under the force of gravity. As the collapse continues, the core becomes denser and hotter until nuclear fusion ignites, marking the birth of a star. This process typically involves the formation of a protostar surrounded by a disk of gas and dust. Eventually, the protostar reaches a stable state and becomes a main sequence star, where it remains for most of its life. The entire process can take millions of years and is often accompanied by intense radiation and stellar winds.