• Question: how are stars formed ?

    Asked by ellie science to Deborah, Euan, Maheen, Rob, Stu on 21 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Maheen Siddiqui

      Maheen Siddiqui answered on 21 Jun 2016:

      Hi ellie science!

      I don’t know that much about stars but from a little bit of research I can tell you that stars form inside relatively dense concentrations of interstellar gas and dust known as molecular clouds. These regions are extremely cold and at these cold temperatures, gases become molecular meaning that atoms bind together. CO and H2 are the most common molecules in interstellar gas clouds. The deep cold also causes the gas to clump to high densities. When the density reaches a certain point, stars form.

    • Photo: Euan Allen

      Euan Allen answered on 21 Jun 2016:

      Hi ellie science,

      Everything that is made of atoms has mass (i.e. has some weight), and all things that have mass will attract other things with mass through gravity. As small clumps of gas in space begin to collect together, they begin to attract more and gas, making the clumps larger and larger. Eventually the regions of gas get so large that the centre begins to heat up and pressure builds. If the region of gas gets large enough, then the pressure and temperature of the gas at the centre because so great that it begins to undergo nuclear fission and burn.

      At this point the gas cloud begins to burn, and this is the beginning of the life of a star.

      The life of a star is really interesting, and if you want to read more then this link is a good start! http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/stars/lifecyclestarsrev1.shtml

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