Timely, Dr. Jin Koda discussed the solar eclipse that we experienced on April 8, 2024, the day before his lecture about star formation on April 9, 2024 at the University Libraries.
Dr. Koda mentioned that there is only one star in the solar system, the Sun, which is one of 400 billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. There are more than one hundred million galaxies in the universe. Dr. Koda described that when we look at the Milky Way Galaxy from the side, it appears as a band of stars. Within this band, stars shine through the dark regions, while gas and dust obscure the light from behind. Concentrations of molecular gas give rise to molecular clouds, which serve as crucial sites of star formation. Furthermore, spiral arms which lie in the thin disk of spiral galaxies act as production centers of young stars.
The intriguing talk and the fascinating phenomenon of star formation sparked interesting questions from the audience.
Clara Tran
Email: clara.tran@stonybrook.edu
