What critical factor determines the duration of a star's cosmic incubation period?
Answer
Mass
The timescale required for a stellar object to evolve from a diffuse cloud to a main-sequence star is not constant but varies dramatically depending on the final amount of material the collapsing core gathers. This quantity, the mass, is the decisive factor governing the timeline. A cloud destined to form a low-mass star, such as one solar mass, follows a timetable vastly different from the incredibly rapid evolution experienced by a gargantuan cloud destined to create a high-mass blue giant. Stronger gravity associated with higher mass leads to accelerated core pressure build-up and quicker fusion commencement.
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