nmsurobert said:I'm guessing the image is ran through some kind of light processing program that looks for... something?
Drakkith said:Images are taken through filters that let through different wavelengths of light. Protostars form within nebulas, are surrounded by molecular clouds of gas and dust and typically radiate mostly in the infrared range, so by comparing the images taken through the different filters astronomers can identify which stars are most likely protostars.
Good question. I'm not sure to be honest.
nmsurobert said:i know we can see them but I doubt that's how they're found. I would guess that the data is processed somehow then the image is looked at once a candidate is found.
nmsurobert said:How are protostars detected? ...
nmsurobert said:...I doubt that someone is just looking at a poster of a nebula looking for stars...
stefan r said:Why not look at nebula?
nmsurobert said:it seems like "eye balling" for a protostar is inefficient.
A protostar is a stage in the formation of a star, in which a dense region of gas and dust collapses under its own gravity. As the protostar continues to contract, it becomes hotter and denser until the conditions are suitable for nuclear fusion to begin and a star is born.
Protostars are typically detected through their infrared radiation, which is emitted as the gas and dust surrounding the protostar heats up due to the gravitational collapse. Infrared telescopes and instruments are used to detect this radiation.
Light processing refers to the analysis and interpretation of the infrared radiation emitted by protostars. This is important because it allows scientists to distinguish between protostars and other sources of infrared radiation, such as background stars or galaxies.
Yes, protostars can also be detected in other wavelengths of light, such as radio and millimeter waves. These wavelengths are useful for studying different aspects of protostars, such as their magnetic fields and chemical compositions.
Studying protostars can tell us about the early stages of star formation and the physical processes involved. It can also provide insights into the chemical composition of the gas and dust in the universe and how it evolves over time. Additionally, studying protostars can help us understand the formation and evolution of planetary systems, as these form around young stars.