Learning Goals

Studying this chapter will enable you to

	Discuss the factors that compete against gravity in the process of star formation.
	Summarize the sequence of events leading to the formation of a star like our Sun.
	Explain how the process of star formation depends on stellar mass.
	Describe some of the observational evidence supporting the modern theory of star formation.
	Explain the nature of interstellar shock waves, and discuss their possible role in the formation of stars.
	Distinguish between open and globular star clusters, and explain why the study of clusters is important to astronomers.