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How hot is the core of a protostar?
10 million K.
A protostar becomes a main sequence star when its core temperature exceeds 10 million K. This is the temperature needed for hydrogen fusion to operate efficiently. The length of time all of this takes depends on the mass of the star. The more massive the star, the faster everything happens.
What heats up a protostar?
(2) The collapsing gas heats up and becomes a PROTOSTAR After the initial trigger provided by the passing shock wave, the inward force of gravity is greater than the outward pressure force. The gas cloud starts to collapse, and becomes a protostar. As the center of the protostar is compressed, it heats up.
What element from space is pulled by Gravityand turn into a protostar?
Once the pressure gets high enough, it begins to rival the strength of gravity and the collapse of the cloud slows down. Eventually, the cloud of gas becomes a protostar: an infant star that has not yet begun to fuse hydrogen in its core.
When does a protostar become a star?
A protostar becomes a main sequence star when its core temperature exceeds 10 million K. This is the temperature needed for hydrogen fusion to operate efficiently. The length of time all of this takes depends on the mass of the star. The more massive the star, the faster everything happens.
What is the temperature of a protostar?
Other material in the disk may coalesce to form another star or planets. A protostar will reach a temperature of 2000 to 3000 K, hot enough to glow a dull red with most of its energy in the infrared. The cocoon of gas and dust surrounding them blocks the visible light.
What happens in a protostar?
In a protostar, nuclear fusion is not yet happening, and the star is very unstable. The star gains mass and heat as it accretes materials. As it matures, it reaches a state of equilibrium, turning into a pre main sequence star which will eventually develop into a main sequence star once the star starts to derive energy through nuclear reactions.
When does a protostar form?
A protostar is formed from nebula. When gravity compresses nebula so much it begins to warm. The adding of atoms to the center of a protostar is a process called accretion.