The Life of a Star: The Birth of a Star - Stellar Nurseries

How are stars born? Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

What is Astro Minute?

Welcome to the Astro Minute! I'm Lauren Smyth, and with the help of astronomer and teacher Kelli Smyth, I'll be your tour guide as we explore the secrets of the night sky sixty seconds at a time.

Welcome to the Astro Minute, where we’re exploring the universe sixty seconds at a time. I’m Lauren Smyth, and today we’re looking at the birth of a star.

Did you know that stars have life cycles? And stars in every stage of life from birth to death can be seen from earth. In the next few episodes of AstroMinute, we’ll explore the stages of stellar life, beginning with birth.

Stars are born in stellar nurseries, cold giant clouds of gas and dust. Clumps of matter gravitationally attract more matter, thus increasing in density and temperature. In time, a protostar forms, and eventually its core becomes so hot that hydrogen fusion ignites: a new star is born.

Look for two stellar nurseries visible naked eye from the northern hemisphere: the Orion Nebula in Orion’s sword, and the Lagoon Nebula above the Teapot’s spout in Sagittarius.

I’m Lauren Smyth, and that’s your Astro Minute.