Molecular gas and dust merge due to gravitational forces in a cold, dark cloud, contracting the core and initiating star formation. As the protostar develops over billions of years within the circumstellar disk, gaining mass while losing over half its initial mass, its temperature and luminosity change until hydrogen fusion is activated at 10 million K, placing it on the main sequence as a full-fledged star. The narrated document humorously anthropomorphizes the star formation process and credits astronomy lectures and Beyoncé's "Formation" for inspiration.

1. STARS IN
FORMATION
Narrated by: Kristen Edwards

2. IT ALL STARTS
WHEN TWO
MEET…
Molecular gas and Dust: love at first sight.
Molecular gas: female / Dust: male
Dust is the more dominant and prominent in star formation.
Other factors that work onto the merger: gravitational forces, dead stars, young nearby stars, and
etc.

3. IT GOES DOWN
IN THE CLOUD
The “parents” get busy in the cloud.
• Cloud contraction
The cloud is cold and dark but…
“It’s getting hot in herreeee.” (Core)
“Nearly impossible to stop the cloud from collapsing once it is initiated.”

4. YOUR BUN IS
IN THE OVEN
Things are cooking up, and the protostar reaches the H-R Diagram.
Not quite a star yet, still has more development.
Process takes billions of years
50% initial mass lost, gains from material in the circumstellar disk
Temperature >, Luminosity <

5. CONGRATS! IT’S
A STAR.
Protostar reaches 10 million K
Hydrogen fusion is activated
Equilibrium is reached
Birthplace: Main Sequence
Promising life: just keep fusing

6. What a
wonderful
formation…
Featured stars: Beyoncé, Kristen,
Michael, and Stephen

7. CREDIT TO …
Dr. Higdon and her Lecture #9
Beyoncé’s Formation
ASTRO 1020 B (cause we slay..)