The T Tauri stage is a phase in the early life of a star where it is in the process of contracting and stabilizing before entering the main sequence. It is characterized by strong stellar winds, significant variability in brightness, and the presence of a circumstellar disk that can lead to planet formation.

T Tauri Stage

T Tauri stage

early life of a star

contracting and stabilizing

The main sequence is a continuous and distinctive band of stars that appears on plots of stellar color versus brightness, known as Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams. Stars on the main sequence are in a stable phase of nuclear fusion, primarily converting hydrogen into helium in their cores, which accounts for about 90% of a star's lifetime.

main sequence

strong stellar winds

variability in brightness

A circumstellar disk is a rotating disk of dense gas and dust surrounding a young star, often considered the birthplace of planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. These disks provide crucial insights into the processes of star formation and planetary system development, serving as a laboratory for studying the early stages of solar systems like our own.

circumstellar disk

Planet formation is a process that occurs in protoplanetary disks surrounding young stars, where dust and gas coalesce to form planetesimals and eventually planets. This process is influenced by factors such as gravity, accretion, and the composition of the disk material, leading to diverse planetary systems.

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