Astro*Dictionary
by Michael Erlewine

1 article for
"Proto-Star"

An early form in a star's development.

It is currently accepted that stars condense out of clouds of interstellar matter, mostly hydrogen.

The term proto-star refers to the early period in a star's development when it has formed a discernable body, but has not yet reached the density necessary to begin hydrogen fusion, which signals its entry into the main sequence.

 

See also:
♦ Main Sequence