Nebulae are massive collections of gas and dust that usually are very cool around 5-30 kelvin. These nebulae are the remains of dead stars that have long died and have had enough time to cool themselves from the original energy release of the nova or supernova that created them. As the nebula cools the particles begin to slow down and once cool enough gravity will begin to collapse the nebulae and form what is known as a protostar. This is the birth of stars, and is essential for star formation.
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Interstellar clouds collapse due to gravity, which overcomes the outward pressure from internal heat or other forces. As the cloud collapses, it undergoes fragmentation to form denser regions where stars eventually form. This process is triggered by various factors such as the shockwaves from supernovae or interactions with other clouds.
An interstellar cloud made of gas, dust, and plasma in a galaxy.
it was born from the interstellar cloud
The main source of energy during this stage is gravitational potential energy, as gas in the interstellar cloud collapses under gravity to form a protostar. The energy released from this gravitational collapse heats up the material and initiates the process of star formation.
These are generically referred to as, not surprisingly; 'interstellar clouds'
The solar system formed from a spinning cloud of gas and dust called a nebula. Over time, this nebula collapsed under its own gravity to form the Sun and the rest of the solar system.