star formation

[stahr fawr-mey-shuhn]

noun

Astronomy.

1. a process that takes place within a molecular cloud, in which a dense region of gas and dust collapses and produces stars.

2. the branch of astronomy that deals with all aspects and stages of the formation of stars.

Word History and Origins

Origin of star formation¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Such models would allow researchers to compare theories of galactic evolution, structure, and star formation directly to observational data.

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They can compress giant molecular clouds to trigger star birth or heat and disperse those clouds to halt star formation.

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Overall, the study offers a cohesive explanation connecting star formation, chemical enrichment, and black hole creation.

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During the early stages of cosmic history, intense star formation and gravitational forces stirred the gas so violently that many galaxies struggled to settle into steady rotation.

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"But by looking at hundreds of galaxies with lower stellar masses instead of just one or two, we see the bigger picture, and it's much more in line with theory. Early galaxies were more turbulent, less stable, and grew up through frequent mergers and bursts of star formation."

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