How does the formation process leading to a protostar contrast with the process that generates a planetary nebula?

Answer

The density increase leading to stellar birth is a precursor to formation, while planetary nebulae occur at the end of a star’s life when it puffs off its outer layers

It is crucial to differentiate the physical processes occurring at opposite ends of a star's life cycle. The process involving the steady accumulation of mass and the dramatic increase in density described is the mechanism of *stellar birth*, where a nebula collapses to form a protostar. Conversely, a planetary nebula is an entirely different phenomenon associated with stellar demise. It results from an aging star gently ejecting its outer atmospheric layers into space near the conclusion of its main sequence lifetime, often characterized by expansion and cooling rather than the intense compression seen during initial star formation.

How does the formation process leading to a protostar contrast with the process that generates a planetary nebula?

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