star formation

American  

[stahr fawr-mey-shuhn] / ˈstɑr fɔrˌmeɪ ʃən /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of star formation

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Perhaps the intense radiation from quasars was not only affecting their own galaxies, but also limiting star formation in nearby ones.

From Science Daily

Using JWST, the team measured emissions from O III, an ionized form of oxygen that signals recent star formation.

From Science Daily

This pattern indicates that star formation had recently been suppressed in those galaxies.

From Science Daily

Scientists already knew that quasars can destroy this gas within their own galaxies, effectively shutting down local star formation.

From Science Daily

"Then we realized the galaxies might actually be there, but difficult to detect because their very recent star formation was suppressed."

From Science Daily