<ul><li>Stars are born in molecular clouds, with elongated structures influencing star formation.</li><li>A study in The Astrophysical Journal examines star formation in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), resembling early universe conditions.</li><li>Findings show 60% of SMC molecular clouds are filamentary, while 40% are fluffy, impacting star formation.</li><li>Temperature differences suggest clouds start hot and cool over time, affecting structure.</li><li>Filamentary clouds likely produce multiple stars, while fluffy clouds may struggle to form low-mass stars.</li><li>Heavy elements influence cloud structure, potentially impacting star formation outcomes.</li><li>Study challenges assumptions about star formation in low-metallicity environments like the early universe.</li><li>Observations emphasize the role of heavy elements in shaping molecular cloud structures and star formation.</li><li>Comparison with more metal-rich environments like the Milky Way is recommended for further insights.</li><li>Studying nearby galaxies such as the SMC provides valuable insights into early star formation processes.</li></ul>

What ‘fluffy clouds’ can teach scientists about how stars are born

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