Chitral Astronomical Society

Chitral Astronomical Society

Skies over the Hindu Kush

Encyclopedia

Star

Protostar

An embryonic star still gathering mass.

A collapsing clump of molecular gas and dust that has not yet started stable hydrogen fusion. Protostars glow mostly in infrared, hidden inside their natal cloud.

Overview

A collapsing clump of molecular gas and dust that has not yet started stable hydrogen fusion. Protostars glow mostly in infrared, hidden inside their natal cloud.

See also

Sirius

The brightest star in the night sky.

Polaris

The North Star — the sky's pivot.

Betelgeuse

A doomed red supergiant in Orion.

Vega

The summer beacon, future pole star.

The Sun

Our local star — the engine of the Solar System.

Rigel

The blue-white foot of Orion.