What astrophysical mechanism specifically describes the slow contraction of a celestial body that is not yet fusing hydrogen?

Answer

Kelvin-Helmholtz mechanism

The physical mechanism responsible for generating heat through slow contraction in a pre-fusion body, like a protostar or a brown dwarf, is referred to as the Kelvin-Helmholtz mechanism.

What astrophysical mechanism specifically describes the slow contraction of a celestial body that is not yet fusing hydrogen?
star formationastrophysicsprotostarsstellar physicsheat generation