From Protostar to Star

• What slows and eventually stops the collapse? PRESSURE

  • Gas falls in, heats up – As the temperature rises, so does the pressure!
  • Three kinds of pressure:
    • Thermal pressure (Temp-Pressure related)
    • Radiation Pressure (due to photons)
    • Degeneracy Pressure (later)

• When the temperature rises high enough, FUSION (OH) begins, and A STAR IS BORN!

  • Surrounding gas/dust get blown away

Notes: