Solar Star Formation

Solar star formation begins in a giant cloud of gas and dust in space, called a molecular cloud. Under gravity, regions within this cloud collapse, forming a dense core that heats up as it gathers more material. When the core becomes hot enough, nuclear fusion reactions start, converting hydrogen into helium and releasing energy. This marks the birth of a star, like our Sun. Over time, the surrounding material may be cleared away, leaving a stable star that shines through nuclear energy. This process can take millions of years, driven primarily by gravity and nuclear physics.