What do a star began as a large cloud of gas and dust?

A star begins as a large cloud of gas and dust, known as a nebula, which primarily consists of hydrogen and helium. Over time, gravitational forces cause the material within the nebula to collapse and clump together, increasing density and temperature. As the core reaches sufficiently high temperatures, nuclear fusion ignites, marking the birth of a star. This process releases energy, allowing the star to shine and evolve through various life stages.