Star Formation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Star Formation - Essay Example Some of the widely known astronomical substances that represent mainly the basic building blocks of most galaxies are stars. This therefore means that the composition, age and distribution of stars in a galaxy usually suggest the dynamics, evolution and history of that particular galaxy. Furthermore stars are mostly responsible for the manufacturing and dispensing of heavy elements for instance oxygen, carbon and nitrogen and therefore their distinctiveness is closely tied to the uniqueness of the planetary systems that may possibly unite around them. As a result the study of the origin, life and ultimately death of stars is key to the astronomical field (Whitworth, Thompson, 2012). Stars usually are formed within comparatively dense concentrations of interstellar dust and gas referred to as molecular clouds. These areas are mostly very cold and temperatures may fall to around 10 to 20K, just over absolute zero. Gases under these temperatures become molecular which means that there is binding together of atoms. Within the interstellar gas clouds are mostly Hydrogen and carbon monoxide molecules .These low temperatures result in extremely cold conditions causing the gases to clump together to high densities. It is when the density attains a specific point when stars are formed. The regions are mostly dense and consequently opaque to any visible light and are referred to by the name dark nebula. They also do not shine by light that is optical which means that they are observed and investigated by use of IR as well as radio telescopes (Whitworth, Thompson, 2012). Formation of stars starts when the denser regions of the cloud’s core collapse due to their own gravity or weight. The cloud’s core usually has got masses to the tune of 104 solar masses and is mostly in the structure of dust and gas. Being of higher density than the outside clouds,