Stellar Nurseries

Stellar nurseries, also known as star-forming regions, are vast clouds of gas and dust in space where new stars are born. These regions have the right conditions—high density and low temperature—that allow gravity to pull material together, initiating nuclear fusion and creating new stars. Often illuminated by nearby young stars, stellar nurseries are rich in complex molecules and sometimes feature glowing nebulae. Examples include the Orion Nebula and the Eagle Nebula. They are fundamental to understanding how stars and planetary systems develop within our galaxy.