160 Stellar Birth
Where:
- P is the pressure
- V is the volume
- T is the temperature in Kelvin
- k is the constant
This relationship shows that as the pressure (P) increases, the temperature (T) increases and the volume decreases (V).
As the pressure, density, and temperature increases, no thermal (heat) energy can easily escape. The rising pressure and density leads to the formation of a Protostar, where the core is not yet undergoing fusion. The star ‘turns on’ – a star is born – when the protostar’s core temperature reaches 10,000,000 K; fusion begins as the proton-proton cycle.
This image is of The Eagle Nebula, M16. Often called the fingers or creation, the Eagle Nebula are great towers of gas and dust. Within the nebula, stars are forming, seen as red objects within the nebula.