Here's a breakdown of their characteristics:
* Size: Typically 0.1 to 1 lightyear in diameter.
* Mass: 10 to 1000 solar masses.
* Density: Much denser than the surrounding interstellar medium.
* Composition: Primarily composed of molecular hydrogen and dust.
* Appearance: Dark, opaque clouds that appear as silhouetted against brighter backgrounds.
* Role in Star Formation: Bok globules are thought to be the sites of low-mass star formation. The dense, cold gas within them collapses under its own gravity, forming protostars.
It's important to note that while Bok globules are relatively small, they are still incredibly massive compared to our Sun.
