Bok globules

Bok globules are small, dense clouds of cold gas and dust in space, often seen as dark patches against brighter star fields or nebulae. They are regions where stars can form, as their material can collapse under gravity to create new stars and planetary systems. Despite their modest size—often only a few light-years across—they contain enough material to birth stars, making them important sites for studying stellar formation. These globules are important for astronomers because they offer insight into the earliest stages of star development within our galaxy.