Protostar is a term used to describe a late-stage stellar object that has yet to achieve nuclear fusion. The word is spelled as [proht-oh-stahr], with the stress on the first syllable. It is pronounced with a long "o" in the first syllable, a schwa sound in the second syllable, and a long "a" sound in the third syllable. The "o" in the first syllable is pronounced as /ɑ/ and the "a" in the last syllable is pronounced as /ɑɹ/. The phonetic transcription reflects the English language's irregular spelling conventions.
A protostar is a celestial object that forms during the early stages of star formation. It represents a critical phase in the evolution of a star. A protostar is essentially a dense and compact region of interstellar gas and dust, typically found within molecular clouds, which begins to collapse under the influence of gravity.
During this gravitational collapse, the protostar undergoes a series of physical processes that gradually transform it into a fully developed star. As the gas and dust accumulate, the protostar grows hotter and denser, leading to an increase in pressure and temperature at its center. Eventually, nuclear fusion ignites in the core, initiating the star's main sequence phase.
Protostars are characterized by their intense infrared emissions, emanating from the heat generated during the collapsing process. These emissions are often indicative of the presence of a protoplanetary disk, a rotating disk of gas and dust around the protostar that may give rise to planets and other celestial bodies.
Observing protostars provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of star formation. Scientists use various telescopes, such as infrared and radio telescopes, to study the properties and evolution of protostars. By understanding the complexities involved in protostar formation, researchers can further comprehend the birth and life cycle of stars, as well as the formation of planetary systems.
The word "protostar" is derived from two root words: "proto" and "star".
The prefix "proto" comes from the Greek word "protos", meaning "first" or "primitive". It is often used to indicate something that is in its earliest or most primitive form.
The word "star" comes from the Old English word "steorra" and Proto-Germanic word "sterron", which both refer to a celestial body that emits light, mainly through nuclear fusion.
Therefore, "protostar" combines the Greek prefix "proto" with the English word "star" to describe a celestial object in its initial stage of formation, before it becomes a full-fledged star.