The lowest mass a protostar can have and still become a star (i.e., start thermonuclear reactions of normal hydrogen in its core) is

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lowest mass a protostar can have to still become a star and start thermonuclear reactions of normal hydrogen in its core is slightly less than 1/10 of a solar mass. Below this threshold, the object does not have enough mass and, consequently, gravitational pressure to initiate hydrogen fusion and becomes a brown dwarf instead.

The Lowest Mass a Protostar Can Have and Still Become