| 1. | a pattern of lines or rays radiating from a central point. |
| 2. | Astronomy. an intense and sudden episode of star formation in a galaxy. |
| 3. | Photography. a camera lens attachment that produces star shapes of reflected light. |
star·burst  (stär'bûrst') n. A shape or design with emanating rays that resembles the flash of light produced by an exploding star. |
| starburst (stär'bûrst') Pronunciation Key
The rapid formation of large numbers of new stars in a galaxy at a rate high enough to alter the structure of the galaxy significantly. Starburst galaxies, which are very luminous, form stars at rates that are between tens and hundreds of times faster than those of ordinary galaxies. Initial star formation is believed to be brought on by violent events such as collisions, or near collisions, with other galaxies, in which shockwaves cause the gases in the interstellar medium to collapse into protostars. The resulting stars are generally massive and short-lived. These stars become supernovae that create further shock waves, triggering yet more star formation. |
StarBurst
An active DBMS from IBM Almaden Research Center.