Description acceptable. This process begins when exceeding a limit proportional to the fourth power of the speed of sound over alpha times big-G to the three-halves. Edwin Salpeter’s IMF models the results of this process. Recent estimates suggest that the rate of this process scales with the 1.4th power of the surface gas density by the empirical Kennicutt–Schmidt law. Exceeding the Bonnor–Ebert and Jeans masses will begin this process, which produces T Tauri objects that then evolve to follow the Hayashi track downwards. This process begins when a molecular cloud in the ISM loses hydrostatic equilibrium and undergoes gravitational collapse so that fusion occurs. For 10 points, identify this process that creates the objects found on Hertzsprung–Russell diagrams, such as Alpha Centauri. ■END■
ANSWER: star formation [or stellar formation or equivalents mentioning the idea of stars being created; accept star formation rate; prompt on SFR; prompt on gravitational collapse until read by asking “what other process does that lead to?”]
<Other Science>
= Average correct buzz position