After achieving hydrostatic equilibrium, where does the object officially join?
Answer
Main Sequence
The culmination of the star formation process is marked by the achievement of hydrostatic equilibrium—the perfect balance between gravity pulling inward and fusion pressure pushing outward. Once this stable state is established, the object is no longer actively contracting under its own weight, nor is it merely a gravitationally powered protostar. Instead, the object officially settles onto the Main Sequence. This is the longest and most stable phase of a star's life, during which it steadily consumes its core hydrogen fuel, generating light and heat consistently for billions of years, depending on its initial mass.
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